Preparation and characterization of oxalate-based /sup 237/NpO/sub 2/ powder
/sup 238/Pu, a radioisotope heat source, is produced by irradiating reactor targets containing /sup 237/NpO/sub 2/. The neptunium oxide is obtained by precipitating and calcining /sup 237/Np(IV) oxalate. The effects of oxalate precipitation conditions (temperature, reagent concentrations, valence of neptunium ion and the rate and sequence of reagent addition) on particle morphology and size distribution of /sup 237/NpO/sub 2/ powder were established to provide process controls for making reactor targets. NpO/sub 2/ powders were produced with a median particle size between 10 and 20 ..mu..m and with different morphologies; i.e., rosettes and square plates of varying degrees of agglomeration.
- Research Organization:
- E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Aiken, SC
- OSTI ID:
- 7285974
- Journal Information:
- Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Ceram. Soc. Bull.; (United States) Vol. 56:5; ISSN ACSBA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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070301 -- Isotopic Power Supplies-- Design & Fabrication-- (-1987)
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360205* -- Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories-- Corrosion & Erosion
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BARYONS
CHALCOGENIDES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FABRICATION
FERMIONS
HADRONS
HEAT SOURCES
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
NEPTUNIUM COMPOUNDS
NEPTUNIUM OXIDES
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems
NEUTRONS
NUCLEI
NUCLEONS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE SIZE
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
PLUTONIUM 238
PLUTONIUM ISOTOPES
POWDERS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIOISOTOPE HEAT SOURCES
RADIOISOTOPES
SIZE
TRANSURANIUM COMPOUNDS
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES