Structures of chloro-uranium species in molten LiCl-BeCl2 eutectic:: A combined X-ray and electronic absorption spectroscopy study

The structures and interatomic distances of various chloro complexes of uranium in LiCl-BeCl2 eutectic melt at 380 degrees C have been determined from EXAFS measurements. Dissolution Of UCl4 and UO2O2 (in the absence of a chlorine atmosphere) generated UCl62- ions. Similarly, dissolution Of UCl3 generated UCl63- complexes but dissolution of UO2Cl2 under a chlorine atmosphere yielded a mixture of UCl62- and UO2 Cl-4(2-), deduced from electronic absorption spectra measurements. Interatomic distances and uranium coordination are compared with earlier data in molten LiCl, both in melts and for quenched samples at room temperature. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.