E-beam and UV induced fabrication of CeO2, Eu2O3 and their mixed oxides with UO2

• Cerium, europium and their mixed oxides with uranium were prepared in powder form.
• Radiation-induced precipitation and heat treatment of the precipitate were used.
• E-beam or UV irradiation were used in the process and compared.
• Prepared materials are prospective for pelletizing.

CeO2, Eu2O3 and mixed oxides of CeO2–UO2, Eu2O3–UO2 were fabricated. The preparative method was based on the irradiation of aqueous solutions containing cerium/europium (and uranyl) nitrates and ammonium formate. In the course of irradiation, the solid phase (precursor) was precipitated. The composition of irradiated solutions significantly affected the properties of precursor formed in the course of the irradiation. However, subsequent heat treatment of (amorphous) precursors at temperatures ≤650 °C invariably resulted in the formation of powder oxides with well-developed nanocrystals with linear crystallite size 13–27 nm and specific surface area 10–46 m2 g−1. The applicability of both ionizing (e-beam) and non-ionizing (UV) radiation was studied.