Molten uranium dioxide structure and dynamics

Skinner, L. B.; Benmore, C. J.; Weber, J. K.  R.; Williamson, M. A.; Tamalonis, A.; Hebden, A.; Wiencek, T.; Alderman, O. L.  G.; Guthrie, M.; Leibowitz, L.; Parise, J. B.

doi:10.1126/science.1259709

Molten uranium dioxide structure and dynamics

Journal Article · Thu Nov 20 04:00:00 EST 2014 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1259709· OSTI ID:1393975

Skinner, L. B.; Benmore, C. J.; Weber, J. K. R.; Williamson, M. A.; Tamalonis, A.; Hebden, A.; Wiencek, T.; Alderman, O. L. G.; Guthrie, M.; Leibowitz, L.; Parise, J. B.

Uranium dioxide (UO2) is the major nuclear fuel component of fission power reactors. A key concern during severe accidents is the melting and leakage of radioactive UO2 as it corrodes through its zirconium cladding and steel containment. Yet, the very high temperatures (>3140 kelvin) and chemical reactivity of molten UO2 have prevented structural studies. In this work, we combine laser heating, sample levitation, and synchrotron x-rays to obtain pair distribution function measurements of hot solid and molten UO2. The hot solid shows a substantial increase in oxygen disorder around the lambda transition (2670 K) but negligible U-O coordination change. On melting, the average U-O coordination drops from 8 to 6.7 +/- 0.5. Molecular dynamics models refined to this structure predict higher U-U mobility than 8-coordinated melts.

Research Organization:: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science - Office of Basic Energy Sciences

DOE Contract Number:: AC02-06CH11357

OSTI ID:: 1393975

Journal Information:: Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 6212 Vol. 346; ISSN 0036-8075

Publisher:: AAAS

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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