Synthesis and Morphological Control of UO2F2 Particulates

Uranium-based microspheres are of interest due to theirpotentialapplications as targets for medical isotopes production, as fuel fornuclear reactors, and as standardized materials for nuclear forensics.Here, for the first time, UO2F2 microspheres(1-2 mu m) have been prepared from the reaction betweenUO(3) microspheres and AgHF2 in an autoclave.In this preparation, a new fluorination method has been applied, and HF((g))produced in situ from thethermal decomposition of AgHF2 and NH(4)HF(2)was used as the fluorinating agent. The microsphereswere characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanningelectron microscopy (SEM). Diffraction results indicated that thereaction performed with AgHF2 at 200 degrees C led to anhydrous UO2F2 microspheres, while at 150 degrees C, hydratedUO(2)F(2) microspheres were obtained. Meanwhile, NH4HF2 led to the formation of contaminatedproducts as driven by the formation of volatile species.

Automated summary

UO2F2 microspheres were successfully prepared for the first time using a new fluorination method and HF gas produced in situ. The microspheres were characterized using PXRD and SEM.