Fabrication process study of UCO composite ceramic microspheres with fructose as a carbon source by internal gelation and carbothermic reduction

A preliminary study was carried out on preparation of UC-UO2 (UCO) composite ceramic microspheres using fructose as the carbon source by combining internal gelation and carbothermic reduction. The effects of the pH of precursor solution, washing and drying processes on the gel microspheres and sintering process on the UCO sintered microspheres were analyzed. The physical properties, composition, surface morphology and internal microstructure of the UCO ceramic microspheres were also studied. Dense and crack-free UCO ceramic microspheres with good sphericity, uniform composition distribution, and high crush strength were successfully fabricated.