| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7968668 | Journal of Nuclear Materials | 2013 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
The incorporation of plutonium (Pu) within lanthanum zirconate pyrochlore was investigated using air, argon, and N2-3.5%H2 sintering atmospheres together with Ca2+ and Sr2+ incorporation for charge compensation. The samples have been characterised in the first instance by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The results show Pu can be exchanged for La3+ on the A-site with and without charge compensation and for Zr4+ on the B-site. DRS measurements were made over the wavenumber range of 4000-19,000Â cmâ1 and the Pu in all air- and argon-sintered samples was found to be present as Pu4+ while that in samples sintered in N2-3.5%H2 was present as Pu3+. The Pu valence was confirmed for three of the samples using X-ray near-edge absorption spectroscopy (XANES). Pu valences >4+ were not observed in any of the samples.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Nuclear Energy and Engineering
Authors
Daniel J. Gregg, Yingjie Zhang, Simon C. Middleburgh, Steven D. Conradson, Gerry Triani, Gregory R. Lumpkin, Eric R. Vance,