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In situ Synthesis and Characterization of Uranium Carbide Using High Temperature Neutron Diffraction

Journal Article · · Journal of Nuclear Materials
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
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We investigated the formation of UCx from UO2+x and graphite in situ using neutron diffraction at high temperatures with particular focus on resolving the conflicting reports on the crystal structure of non-quenchable cubic UC2. The agents were UO2 nanopowder, which closely imitates nano grains observed in spent reactor fuels, and graphite powder. In situ neutron diffraction revealed the onset of the UO2 + 2C → UC + CO2 reaction at 1440 °C, with its completion at 1500 °C. Upon further heating, carbon diffuses into the uranium carbide forming C2 groups at the octahedral sites. This resulting high temperature cubic UC2 phase is similar to the NaCl-type structure as proposed by Bowman et al. Here, our novel experimental data provide insights into the mechanism and kinetics of formation of UC as well as characteristics of the high temperature cubic UC2 phase which agree with proposed rotational rehybridization found from simulations by Wen et al.
Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001; AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1492651
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1359399
OSTI ID: 22590299
OSTI ID: 22764102
Report Number(s):
LA-UR--15-24565
Journal Information:
Journal of Nuclear Materials, Journal Name: Journal of Nuclear Materials Vol. 471; ISSN 0022-3115
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Cubic Uranium Dicarbide
Delta UC2
High Temperature
Neutron Diffraction
Nuclear Reactor Fuel
UC
UO2
in situ