Comparing results of X-ray diffraction, µ-Raman spectroscopy and neutron diffraction when identifying chemical phases in seized nuclear material, during a comparative nuclear forensics exercise

Rondahl, Stina Holmgren; Pointurier, Fabien; Ahlinder, Linnea; Ramebäck, Henrik; Marie, Olivier; Ravat, Brice; Delaunay, François; Young, Emma; Blagojevic, Ned; Hester, James R.; Thorogood, Gordon; Nelwamondo, Aubrey N.; Ntsoane, Tshepo P.; Roberts, Sarah K.; Holliday, Kiel S.

doi:10.1007/s10967-017-5666-3

Title: Comparing results of X-ray diffraction, µ-Raman spectroscopy and neutron diffraction when identifying chemical phases in seized nuclear material, during a comparative nuclear forensics exercise

Journal Article · Tue Jan 23 23:00:00 EST 2018 · Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5666-3 · OSTI ID:1424108

Rondahl, Stina Holmgren ^[1]; Pointurier, Fabien ^[2]; Ahlinder, Linnea ^[1]; Ramebäck, Henrik ^[3]; Marie, Olivier ^[2]; Ravat, Brice ^[4]; Delaunay, François ^[4]; Young, Emma ^[5]; Blagojevic, Ned ^[5]; Hester, James R. ^[5]; Thorogood, Gordon ^[5]; Nelwamondo, Aubrey N. ^[6]; Ntsoane, Tshepo P. ^[6]; Roberts, Sarah K. ^[7]; Holliday, Kiel S. ^[7]

Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Umea (Sweden). CBRN Defence and Security
DAM, DIF, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), Arpajon (France)
Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), Umea (Sweden). CBRN Defence and Security ; Chalmers University of Technology, Goteborg (Sweden). Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Chemistr
French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), CEA-Centre de Valduc, Is-Sur-Tille (France)
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Lucas Heights (Australia)
South Africa Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) Pelindaba, Pretoria (South Africa)
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

This work presents the results for identification of chemical phases obtained by several laboratories as a part of an international nuclear forensic round-robin exercise. In this work powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) is regarded as the reference technique. Neutron diffraction produced a superior high-angle diffraction pattern relative to p-XRD. Requiring only small amounts of sample, µ-Raman spectroscopy was used for the first time in this context as a potentially complementary technique to p-XRD. The chemical phases were identified as pure UO₂ in two materials, and as a mixture of UO₂, U₃O₈ and an intermediate species U₃O₇ in the third material.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-07NA27344

OSTI ID:: 1424108

Report Number(s):: LLNL-JRNL--679185

Journal Information:: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 315; ISSN 0236-5731

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Investigation of the polymorphs and hydrolysis of uranium trioxide Sweet, Lucas E.; Blake, Thomas A.; Henager, Charles H. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 296, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-012-2063-9	journal	August 2012
Determination of uranium metal concentration in irradiated fuel storage basin sludge using selective dissolution Delegard, C. H.; Sinkov, S. I.; Chenault, J. W. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Vol. 299, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-013-2884-1	journal	December 2013
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Title: Comparing results of X-ray diffraction, µ-Raman spectroscopy and neutron diffraction when identifying chemical phases in seized nuclear material, during a comparative nuclear forensics exercise

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