Characterization of the Aerosol-Based Synthesis of Uranium Particles as a Potential Reference Material for
R Middendorp1, M Dürr1, A Knott1
1Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy and Climate Research - Nuclear Waste Management and Reactor Safety (IEK-6) , D-52428 Jülich, Germany.
Analytical Chemistry
|March 28, 2017
Summary
Researchers developed a method to create uniform uranium oxide microspheres using aerosol spray pyrolysis. These particles are suitable as reference materials for microanalytical techniques like mass spectrometry.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Developing reliable reference materials is crucial for accurate microanalytical measurements.
- Uranium oxide particles are important for applications in nuclear forensics and international safeguards.
- Aerosol spray pyrolysis offers a controlled method for producing spherical microparticles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the production of micrometer-sized uranium oxide particles via aerosol spray pyrolysis.
- To assess the suitability of these particles as reference materials for microanalytical methods.
- To understand how production parameters influence particle properties.
Main Methods:
- Aerosol generation using a vibrating orifice aerosol generator for monodisperse droplets.
- Oxidation via heat treatment to form uranium oxide.
- Characterization using microanalytical methods, including synchrotron μ-X-ray and μ-Raman spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Physicochemical processes significantly impact particle shape and internal morphology.
- Synchrotron μ-X-ray and μ-Raman spectroscopy confirmed the triuranium octoxide phase.
- The process yields spherical particles with uniform size and composition.
Conclusions:
- The aerosol spray pyrolysis method effectively produces uranium oxide microparticles.
- These particles meet homogeneity and stability requirements for reference materials.
- The developed particles are suitable for microanalytical applications in nuclear safeguards and forensics.
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