Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Determination of Crystal Structures01:29

Determination of Crystal Structures

58
In the late 1800s, the revelation that light extended beyond visible wavelengths led to the discovery of X-rays by Wilhelm Roentgen. Recognized as high-energy electromagnetic radiation with short wavelengths, X-rays prompted exploration into their interaction with crystals. Max von Laue proposed in 1912 that the periodic arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules in crystals would cause them to diffract X-rays, a hypothesis confirmed through experiments with copper sulfate and zinc sulfide...
58
Ionic Crystal Structures02:42

Ionic Crystal Structures

20.3K
Ionic crystals consist of two or more different kinds of ions that usually have different sizes. The packing of these ions into a crystal structure is more complex than the packing of metal atoms that are the same size.
Most monatomic ions behave as charged spheres, and their attraction for ions of opposite charge is the same in every direction. Consequently, stable structures for ionic compounds result (1) when ions of one charge are surrounded by as many ions as possible of the opposite...
20.3K
X-ray Crystallography02:18

X-ray Crystallography

26.7K
The size of the unit cell and the arrangement of atoms in a crystal may be determined from measurements of the diffraction of X-rays by the crystal, termed X-ray crystallography.
Diffraction
Diffraction is the change in the direction of travel experienced by an electromagnetic wave when it encounters a physical barrier whose dimensions are comparable to those of the wavelength of the light. X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths about as long as the distance between neighboring...
26.7K
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

4.2K
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
4.2K
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes02:58

Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes

31.6K
Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
31.6K
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH301:11

ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3

7.9K
All ortho–para directors, excluding halogens, are activating groups. These groups donate electrons to the ring, making the ring carbons electron-rich. Consequently, the reactivity of the aromatic ring towards electrophilic substitution increases. For instance, the nitration of anisole is about 10,000 times faster than the nitration of benzene. The electron-donating effect of the methoxy group in anisole activates the ortho and para positions on the ring and stabilizes the corresponding...
7.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Vibrational and electronic properties of Np[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] from experimental spectroscopy and first principles calculations.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

High-temperature anomalous Hall effect driven by frustrated spin fluctuations in the antiferromagnetic delafossite metal PdCrO<sub>2</sub>.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025
Same author

A Combined Neutron and Synchrotron X-ray Scattering Study of a MgAl-Layered Double Oxide.

Inorganic chemistry·2025
Same author

Structural and Spectroscopic Characterization of Plutonium and Other Tetravalent Metals Complexed to a Keggin Ion.

Inorganic chemistry·2025
Same author

A strategy of consistent X-ray and neutron double-difference pair distribution function analysis of nanoparticle dispersions.

Colloid and polymer science·2025
Same author

Breaking the Neptunyl Barrier: Direct Access to Neptunium(IV) in Aqueous Solution via Polyoxometalate-Mediated Reduction and Stabilization.

Inorganic chemistry·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 24, 2026

U2O5 Film Preparation via UO2 Deposition by Direct Current Sputtering and Successive Oxidation and Reduction with Atomic Oxygen and Atomic Hydrogen
12:05

U2O5 Film Preparation via UO2 Deposition by Direct Current Sputtering and Successive Oxidation and Reduction with Atomic Oxygen and Atomic Hydrogen

Published on: February 21, 2019

8.6K

Structure and Reactivity of X-ray Amorphous Uranyl Peroxide, U2O7.

Samuel O Odoh1, Jacob Shamblin2, Christopher A Colla3

  • 1University of Minnesota , Department of Chemistry, Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States.

Inorganic Chemistry
|March 15, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Accidents involving uranium yellowcake drums were caused by a reactive, amorphous uranium oxide. This compound, formed from heating uranyl peroxides, can release oxygen and poses reactivity hazards.

More Related Videos

Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation
14:22

Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation

Published on: April 11, 2014

15.7K
A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
07:52

A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer

Published on: April 12, 2017

13.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 24, 2026

U2O5 Film Preparation via UO2 Deposition by Direct Current Sputtering and Successive Oxidation and Reduction with Atomic Oxygen and Atomic Hydrogen
12:05

U2O5 Film Preparation via UO2 Deposition by Direct Current Sputtering and Successive Oxidation and Reduction with Atomic Oxygen and Atomic Hydrogen

Published on: February 21, 2019

8.6K
Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation
14:22

Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation

Published on: April 11, 2014

15.7K
A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
07:52

A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer

Published on: April 12, 2017

13.5K

Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Chemistry
  • Materials Science
  • Geochemistry

Background:

  • Accidents involving uranium yellowcake drums have led to worker injuries and radioactive contamination.
  • Pressurization within these drums suggests a reactive component, potentially an amorphous uranium oxide.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the nature of the amorphous uranium oxide found in yellowcake drums.
  • To understand the thermal decomposition and reactivity of uranyl peroxides and related compounds.
  • To elucidate the structure and properties of uranium peroxide species.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) to characterize amorphous materials.
  • Laboratory heating of studtite (a uranyl peroxide hydrate).
  • Quantum chemical calculations for structural modeling.
  • Neutron total scattering and pair distribution function analysis.
  • (1)H- and (17)O-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Main Results:

  • Heating hydrated uranyl peroxides produces an amorphous uranium oxide.
  • Thermal decomposition of studtite yields a reactive anhydrous uranyl peroxide that releases O2 gas.
  • Quantum chemistry and neutron scattering support a U2O7 structural model with bridging peroxide groups.
  • The amorphous uranium oxide exhibits higher reactivity with water and air compared to other uranium oxides.

Conclusions:

  • The amorphous, reactive uranium oxide identified in yellowcake drums likely contributed to drum pressurization incidents.
  • Understanding the reactivity of these uranyl peroxide species is crucial for nuclear safety and potential applications in the nuclear fuel cycle.