Effects of H₂O₂ Concentration on Formation of Uranyl Peroxide Species Probed by Dissolution of Uranium Nitride and Uranium Dioxide

Journal Article · Tue Apr 09 00:00:00 EDT 2019 · Inorganic Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.9b00231· OSTI ID:1506972

Hickam, Sarah ^[1]; Breier, Jaclyn ^[2]; Cripe, Yasmeen ^[2]; Cole, Erica ^[2]; Burns, Peter C. ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Notre Dame, IN (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences; University of Notre Dame
2. Univ. of Notre Dame, IN (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences
3. Univ. of Notre Dame, IN (United States). Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Earth Sciences, and Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dissolution of uranium materials in alkaline aqueous conditions containing H₂O₂ results in uranyl peroxide species in solution, including anionic uranyl peroxide cage clusters. Uranyl peroxide cage clusters are generally highly soluble in water, where they persist as aqueous macroanions. Previous studies indicate that uranyl cluster speciation and dissolution of uranium materials is impacted by the concentration of alkali metal in solution, but in these studies, high concentrations of H₂O₂ were used. Herein, the role of hydrogen peroxide concentration is examined relative to the dissolution of powdered UN and UO₂. Lower initial H₂O₂ concentrations reduce dissolution of UO₂ and UN and tend to produce simple (small) uranyl peroxide species rather the highly soluble uranyl peroxide clusters. H₂O₂ availability will have implications for uranyl speciation and solubility where spent nuclear fuel is in contact with water and where alkaline peroxide conditions are used in dissolution of nuclear material.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Notre Dame, IN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• Grant/Contract Number: NA0003763
• OSTI ID: 1506972
• Journal Information: Inorganic Chemistry, Journal Name: Inorganic Chemistry Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 58; ISSN 0020-1669
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY