Synthesis and characterization of U3O8 Nano-Particles through electro-deposition method

Uranium enrichment engages UF6 gas, which is prepared from U3O8 powder. U3O8 powder has been prepared by some methods like: chemical transport reactions, solid –state thermal decomposition of a new dioxidouranium (VI) complex, surfactant templating-crystal growth technique. In this research, by two current densities of 5 and 10 mA.cm-2, we used galvanostatic electro-deposition to synthesize U3O8 powder by a simple, fast, and clean method in a closed system. After deposition of UO2 (OH)2 at electrode surface, the sample S1 was scratched and oxidized by the thermal annealing at 300-700 °C to form U3O8 powder. The product of S6 was converted to UO3 powder by oxidation in presence of dissolved O2 in solution; Then thermal annealing at (least) 650°C was performed for transform of UO3 to U3O8. The as-prepared powders were analysed by XRD and SEM syntheses to confirm that the product was U3O8. Also, the SEM images showed a honeycomb morphology for S1 and a nanocluster morphology for S6.

Keywords:

Uranium trioxide , U3O8 , Electrodeposition , nanoparticles , SEM , XRD , honeycomb , nanocluster