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DOE OSTI · 1606864

Improving Elemental Ratio Measurements on Uranyl Fluoride with NanoSIMS

Miskowiec, Andrew J.·Zirakparvar, Alex·Spano, Tyler L.
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Abstract

Measurements on samples of calcined uranyl fluoride (UO 2 F 2 ) using Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy with elemental analysis, and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) indicate four facts. First, UO 2 F 2 undergoes a previously unreported oxidation reaction beginning around 350 °C in air. The resulting oxidation compound is likely similar to U 3 O 8 /UO 3 , but presently represents a novel chemical species. Second, variations in F/U ratio across samples as measured by electron microscopy with x-ray spectroscopy correlate with variations in F/U ratio as measured with the NanoSIMS 50L instrument. Third, simple mixed powders of LaF 3 +U 3 O 8 are not sufficiently homogeneous to act as a high F+U content standard material. Fourth, additional method development for determining the bulk F/U ratio using an alternative technique is necessary to further develop analytical standards.

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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Miskowiec, Andrew J., Zirakparvar, Alex, Spano, Tyler L.. 2020-01-31. Improving Elemental Ratio Measurements on Uranyl Fluoride with NanoSIMS. https://doi.org/10.2172/1606864

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗