FTIR spectra of the hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride

Journal Article · Thu Feb 06 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Journal of Physical Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/j100182a015· OSTI ID:379458

Sherrow, S A ^[1]; Hunt, R D ^[2]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (United States)
2. Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States)

The hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride has been examined with infrared spectroscopy under three different reaction conditions. First, UF{sub 6} was codeposited with water in excess argon at 12 K. The FTIR spectra of UF{sub 6}/H{sub 2}O mixtures revealed several product absorptions due to the perturbed v{sub 1}, v{sub 2}, and v{sub 3} modes of H{sub 2}O as well as the v{sub 3} mode of UF{sub 6}. These new absorptions have been assigned to the anti-hydrogen-bonded 1:1 complex, UF{sub 6}-OH{sub 2}. Photolysis of this weak complex produced a doublet at 868.2 and 857.1 cm{sup -1}, which has been assigned to the UOF{sub 4}. Next, solid films of UF{sub 6}/H{sub 2}O mixtures were prepared at 12 K and slowly annealed at 242 K. The reaction profile of the UF{sub 6} hydrolysis from UF{sub 6} hydrolysis from UF{sub 6} (or UF{sub 6}-OH{sub 2}) to UOF{sub 4} to UO{sub 2}F{sub 2} was obtained. Finally, UF{sub 6} and H{sub 2}O were reacted at low pressures and ambient temperatures in a new IR gas cell. While no gaseous uranium oxyfluorides were detected, the final product distribution inside the gas cell did indicate that the fluorinated nickel surface served as a catalyst for the UF{sub 6} hydrolysis. 21 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 379458
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Physical Chemistry Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 96; ISSN JPCHAX; ISSN 0022-3654
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
CATALYSTS
HYDROLYSIS
PHOTOLYSIS
URANIUM FLUORIDES