Preparation of low-temperature sintered UO2 nanomaterials by radiolytic reduction of ammonium uranyl tricarbonate

UO2 nanoparticles were successfully obtained from ammonium uranyl tricarbonate with high efficiency by γ-irradiation. More importantly, the as-prepared nanoparticles were stable in the irradiated mother solution exposed to air atmosphere. The purified UO2 powders could be sintered at 450-600 °C, much lower than the reported values (above 1700 °C) of bulk UO2. These advantages made this method promising in the production of UO2 nuclear fuels.