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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Correlation Effects and Magnetism in Actinides: Elements and Compounds (Final Close-out Report)

This is a final close-out report for DOE contract DE-FG02-99ER45761 entitled “Correlation Effects and Magnetism in Actinides: Elements and Compounds” at Rutgers University in New Jersey. It funded condensed matter physics basic energy science research from 04/15/1999 through 02/14/2020. A list of postdocs that received support from this grant are presented below, along with an overview of the research accomplishments of the grant with highlights of research results from the last funding period and a list of original papers published thru the duration of the grant with impact factor metrics are presented.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Shell effects in quasi-fission: Reactions forming actinide and superheavy compound nuclei

Quasi-fission occurs in fully damped heavy-ion collisions following a significant mass transfer between the fragments, without formation of a compound nucleus. As in fission, quasi-fission is expected to be affected by quantum effects leading to asymmetric mass splits. Quantum shells stabilising fission fragments with octupole shapes have been invoked as a factor determining the distribution of nucleons between the fragments at scission, explaining the fact that the centroid of the heavy fragment charge distribution is found around Z = 54 protons in fission and quasi-fission of actinides. These shell effects are studied in microscopic studies of quasi-fission. In particular, time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) calculations have been performed for reactions forming actinides.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

The Dirac equation in electronic structure calculations: Accurate evaluation of DFT predictions for actinides

Brooks, Johansson, and Skriver, using the LMTO-ASA method and considerable insight, were able to explain many of the ground state properties of the actinides. In the many years since this work was done, electronic structure calculations of increasing sophistication have been applied to actinide elements and compounds, attempting to quantify the applicability of DFT to actinides and actinide compounds and to try to incorporate other methodologies (i.e. DMFT) into DFT calculations. Through these calculations, the limits of both available density functionals and ad hoc methodologies are starting to become clear. However, it has also become clear that approximations used to incorporate relativity are not adequate to provide rigorous tests of the underlying equations of DFT, not to mention ad hoc additions. In this talk, we describe the result of full-potential LMTO calculations for the elemental actinides, comparing results obtained with a full Dirac basis with those obtained from scalar-relativistic bases, with and without variational spin-orbit. This comparison shows that the scalar relativistic treatment of actinides does not have sufficient accuracy to provide a rigorous test of theory and that variational spin-orbit introduces uncontrolled errors in the results of electronic structure calculations on actinide elements.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Neptunyl and Uranyl Peroxide Chemistry in Molten Salts, Uranyl Structures from Nature, and Thermodynamic Studies Extending into the Transuranium Elements (Final Report)

This project was initially funded in 2007 and the current technical report is for 2019-2022. The specific objectives of this project (2019-2022) were: (1) Synthesis of actinide peroxide compounds in molten salt eutectics, (2) Studies of new uranyl minerals with fascinating structures and compositions, (3) Drop-solution calorimetric studies of actinide compounds extending into the transuranium elements, with an emphasis on the uranyl-sulfate system, (4) Continuation of studies of uranyl vanadate clusters synthesized using ionic liquids, (5) The training of Ph.D. graduate students in actinide chemistry, and to introduce undergraduate students to actinide research through providing research assistantships and supervision. The report lists 67 archival journal papers describing the work, of which 23 were since 2019. Highlights of the work are summarized for the period 2019-2022.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2022

Advances in actinide thin films: synthesis, properties, and future directions

Actinide-based compounds exhibit unique physics due to the presence of 5f electrons, and serve in many cases as important technological materials. Targeted thin film synthesis of actinide materials has been successful in generating high-purity specimens in which to study individual physical phenomena. These films have enabled the study of the unique electron configuration, strong mass renormalization, and nuclear decay in actinide metals and compounds. The growth of these films, as well as their thermophysical, magnetic, and topological properties, have been studied in a range of chemistries, albeit far fewer than most classes of thin film systems. This relative scarcity is the result of limited source material availability and safety constraints associated with the handling of radioactive materials. Here, we review recent work on the synthesis and characterization of actinide-based thin films in detail, describing both synthesis methods and modeling techniques for these materials. Further, we review reports on pyrometallurgical, solution-based, and vapor deposition methods. We highlight the current state-of-the-art in order to construct a path forward to higher quality actinide thin films and heterostructure devices.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2015

Free Energy and Heat Capacity

Free energy and heat capacity of actinide elements and compounds are important properties for the evaluation of the safety and reliable performance of nuclear fuel. They are essential inputs for models that describe complex phenomena that govern the behaviour of actinide compounds during nuclear fuel fabrication and irradiation. This chapter introduces various experimental methods to measure free energy and heat capacity to serve as inputs for models and to validate computer simulations. This is followed by a discussion of computer simulation of these properties, and recent simulations of thermophysical properties of nuclear fuel are briefly reviewed.

free energy↗
DOE OSTI2017

Modulation of Tetravalent Actinide Oxalate Morphology through Organic Compounds

Spent nuclear fuel of pressurized water reactors mainly consists of uranium, plutonium, minor actinides and fission products. The long term radiotoxicity of wastes is mainly due to plutonium and minor actinides such as neptunium, americium and curium. So, in order both to reduce the radiotoxicity of the ultimate wastes and to save uranium resources, researches for current and new generations of nuclear plants focus on the recycling of plutonium and minor actinides, to fabricate new mixed oxides nuclear fuel pellets (MOX) or transmutation targets. In this aim, production of actinide oxides is necessary. Currently, according to the Purex process, the spent fuel is dissolved in nitric acid and then valuable actinides (uranium and plutonium) are separated and purified from fission products and minor actinides in the Areva plant 'La Hague'. The resulting plutonium nitric solution is converted into a solid phase by oxalic conversion: the oxalic precipitation is followed by the calcination of the obtained oxalate into plutonium oxide. Considering either the MOX fuel or the transmutation targets fabrication from actinide oxides, the control of the particle structure and microstructure is a key factor related to the ability of oxide powder to sinter and shape as pellets. In the oxalic conversion process, the morphology of the precipitated oxalate is strongly influenced by the precipitation conditions and is kept during the calcination from oxalate into oxide. In this context, the aim of this work is to control the morphology of the final actinide oxide by changing the oxalic precipitation conditions. A lot of possibilities can be considered to modulate the morphology of actinide oxalates. Numerous parameters such as temperature, pressure, the presence of a magnetic field, the operating process (seeding, emulsions)... can modify the precipitated particles shape. Additives are also able to play a major role at the precipitation stage by means of different mechanisms involving either complexation, surface covering or structure insertion. This study focuses on this way to modify the morphology of actinides oxalates.

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2014

The Thermodynamic Properties of the f-Elements and their Compounds. Part 2. The Lanthanide and Actinide Oxides

A comprehensive review of the thermodynamic properties of the oxide compounds of the lanthanide and actinide elements is presented. The available literature data for the solid, liquid, and gaseous state have been analysed and recommended values are presented. In case experimental data are missing, estimates have been made based on the trends in the two series, which are extensively discussed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

From Thorium to Plutonium: Trends in Actinide(IV) Chloride Structural Chemistry

A series of eighteen actinide (IV) compounds were synthesized from acidic aqueous media containing thorium, uranium, or plutonium. The metal cation adopts a variety of different structural units with the general formula [An(H 2 O) x Cl y ] 4-y (x=4-7, y=2-4) or AnCl 6 2- charge balanced by protonated nitrogen-containing heterocycles. Compound identities were classified by single crystal X-ray diffraction and subsequently characterized by Raman, IR, and optical absorption spectroscopies. Discrepancies across the early actinides were observed in this family of An(IV)-chlorides, with Th adopting exclusively Th-aquo-chloro species, Pu forming only PuCl 6 2- , and U residing somewhere in between, crystallizing both as U-aquo-chloro and UCl 6 2- monomeric units. Reports of An-H 2 O-Cl species are largely absent from tetravalent An solid state discussions despite their identification in chloride solutions. Here, the isolation of unique An(IV)-chlorides may be attributed to nonbonding interactions provided by outer coordination sphere counter-ions that could play a role in stabilizing these structural units. Differences in the structural chemistry of Th, U, and Pu also demonstrate a break in the series despite their common oxidation state and nearly identical synthetic procedures.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of actinyl(VI) tetrahalide coordination compounds containing 2, 2'-bipyridine

A series of three new actinide tetrahalide coordination compounds containing 2,2'-bipyridinium (H 2 bpy) have been synthesized by room temperature evaporation and characterized via single crystal X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. The solid-state compounds (Np1, U1, and U2) contain the AnO 2 2+ cation coordinated to four halide (chloride or bromide) atoms to form the anionic tetrahalide molecular unit [AnO 2 X 4 ] 2– (X = Cl, Br) and are charge balanced by the 2,2'-bipyridinium cations that engage in electrostatic interactions with the actinyl complex. Np1 (N 2 C 10 H 10 )[NpO 2 Cl 4 ] contains 2,2'-bipyridine in the cis conformation where both the nitrogen atoms are directed towards the [NpO 2 Cl 4 ] 2– monomer. Within U1 (N 2 C 10 H 9 )[UO 2 Cl 4 ], the 2,2'-bipyridine is in a trans conformation, and found in the same orientation in the isomorphous structure U2 (N 2 C 10 H 9 )[UO 2 Br 4 ]. The compounds were further characterized by vibrational spectroscopy with specific interest in the actinyl cation. Raman spectroscopy provided information on the actinyl symmetric stretch (ν 1 ) whereas IR spectroscopy is used to determine the location of the asymmetric stretch (ν 3 ). Here, spectral similarities are observed between the two isomorphous structures, but slight variations across the series of structures are found to be associated with bipyridine bands in the various conformations. Additional analysis of these vibrational features in U1 and U2 provided information on the actinyl force constants, allowing insight into the relative uranyl bond strength that was compared to similar tetrahalide compounds.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Stabilization of Uranium Metal by Chloride Conversion-Economical, Safe, Scalable [Factsheet]

Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed SUCCESS, a process to convert uranium metal to uranium tetrachloride enabling production of these valuable compounds for actinide science, molten salt nuclear reactors, and energy research. Conventional methods are problematic due to the oxide reduction processes use rare reagents and generate significant amounts of waste and hydride conversion process using chlorine at high temperature is hazardous. This new method using inexpensive reagents chemically transform uranium metal into uranium halide compounds under mild conditions. The facile conversion to stable uranium tetrachloride could reduce the need to mine uranium for uses other than nuclear, by recycling the uranium without oxidation. The Laboratory is interested in supporting further scale-up efforts using a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) or by granting a license to a qualified entity

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Synthesis and characterization of uranyl chromate sheet compounds containing edge-sharing dimers of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids

Eight uranyl chromates have been crystallized from aqueous solution and characterized: Mg(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(CrO{sub 4}){sub 2}(OH){sub 2}](H{sub 2}O){sub 3} (1), (NH{sub 4}){sub 2}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(CrO{sub 4}){sub 2}(OH){sub 2}](H{sub 2}O){sub 3}, Rb{sub 2}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(CrO{sub 4}){sub 2}(OH){sub 2}](H{sub 2}O){sub 3} (3), Cs[(UO{sub 2})(CrO{sub 4})(OH)]H{sub 2}O (4), Rb[(UO{sub 2})(CrO{sub 4})(OH)]H{sub 2}O (5) Co(H{sub 2}O){sub 4}(Co(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}){sub 2}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 4}(CrO{sub 4}){sub 6}(OH){sub 2}](H{sub 2}O){sub 4} (6), Li{sub 2}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(CrO{sub 4}){sub 3}](H{sub 2}O){sub 7} (7), and Zn(H{sub 2}O){sub 6}[(UO{sub 2}){sub 2}(CrO{sub 4}){sub 3}](H{sub 2}O){sub 3} (8). The structural units of 1 through 8 each consist of a sheet of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and (Cr(VI)O{sub 4}){sup 2-} tetrahedra. In each case two uranyl pentagonal bipyramids share an equatorial edge, giving a dimer that is linked into the sheet through vertex sharing with (Cr(VI)O{sub 4}){sup 2-} tetrahedra. The sheets are based upon three distinct sheet anion topologies, and the sheets based on a given anion topology can differ in the orientations of the non-bridging O atoms of (CrO{sub 4}){sup 2-} tetrahedra. The interlayers of these compounds contain either monovalent or divalent cations, as well as H{sub 2}O groups that are either bonded to the interlayer cation or are held in place by H bonding only. We explore the relationships between sheet topologies and interlayer configuration in these compounds. - Graphical abstract: Eight uranyl chromate compounds containing sheet structural units built from uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and (CrO{sub 4}){sup 2-} tetrahedra are reported. Relationships between sheet topologies and interstitial constituents is examined. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Eight uranyl Cr(VI) compounds with sheet structural units are reported. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Relationships between the topology of the uranyl chromate sheets and interlayers are examined. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Uranyl and chromate polyhedra form a topologically novel sheet.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2012

[La(UO{sub 2})V{sub 2}O{sub 7}][(UO{sub 2})(VO{sub 4})] the first lanthanum uranyl-vanadate with structure built from two types of sheets based upon the uranophane anion-topology

The new lanthanum uranyl vanadate divanadate, [La(UO{sub 2})V{sub 2}O{sub 7}][(UO{sub 2})(VO{sub 4})] was obtained by reaction at 800 Degree-Sign C between lanthanum chloride, uranium oxide (U{sub 3}O{sub 8}) and vanadium oxide (V{sub 2}O{sub 5}) and the structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with space group P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1} and unit-cell parameters a=6.9470(2) A, b=7.0934(2) A, c=25.7464(6) A, V=1268.73(5) A{sup 3}, Z=4. A full matrix least-squares refinement yielded R{sub 1}=0.0219 for 5493 independent reflections. The crystal structure is characterized by the stacking of uranophane-type sheets {sup 2}{sub {infinity}}[(UO{sub 2})(VO{sub 4})]{sup -} and double layers {sup 2}{sub {infinity}}[La(UO{sub 2})(V{sub 2}O{sub 7})]{sup +} connected through La-O bonds involving the uranyl oxygen of the uranyl-vanadate sheets. The double layers result from the connection of two {sup 2}{sub {infinity}}[La(UO{sub 2})(VO{sub 4}){sub 2}]{sup -} sheets derived from the uranophane anion-topology by replacing half of the uranyl ions by lanthanum atoms and connected through the formation of divanadate entities. - Graphical abstract: A view of the three-dimensional structure of [La(UO{sub 2})V{sub 2}O{sub 7}][(UO{sub 2})(VO{sub 4})]. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer New lanthanum uranyl vanadate divanadate has been synthesized. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Structure is characterized by uranophane-type sheets and double layers {sup 2}{sub {infinity}}[La(UO{sub 2})(V{sub 2}O{sub 7})]{sup +}.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

Pillared and open-framework uranyl diphosphonates

The hydrothermal reactions of uranium trioxide, uranyl acetate, or uranyl nitrate with 1,4-benzenebisphosphonic acid in the presence of very small amount of HF at 200 deg. C results in the formation of three different uranyl diphosphonate compounds, [H{sub 3}O]{sub 2}{l_brace}(UO{sub 2}){sub 6}[C{sub 6}H{sub 4}(PO{sub 3})(PO{sub 2}OH)]{sub 2}[C{sub 6}H{sub 4}(PO{sub 2}OH){sub 2}]{sub 2}[C{sub 6}H{sub 4}(PO{sub 3}){sub 2}]{r_brace}(H{sub 2}O){sub 2} (Ubbp-1), [H{sub 3}O]{sub 4}{l_brace}(UO{sub 2}){sub 4}[C{sub 6}H{sub 4}(PO{sub 3}){sub 2}]{sub 2}F{sub 4}{r_brace}.H{sub 2}O (Ubbp-2), and {l_brace}(UO{sub 2})[C{sub 6}H{sub 2}F{sub 2}(PO{sub 2}OH){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){r_brace}{sub 2}.H{sub 2}O (Ubbp-3). The crystal structures of these compounds were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Ubbp-1 consists of UO{sub 7} pentagonal bipyramids that are bridged by the phosphonate moieties to form a three-dimensional pillared structure. Ubbp-2 is composed of UO{sub 5}F{sub 2} pentagonal bipyramids that are bridged through the phosphonate oxygen atoms into one-dimensional chains that are cross-linked by the phenyl spacers into a pillared structure. The structure of Ubbp-3 is a three-dimensional open-framework with large channels containing water molecules with internal dimensions of approximately 10.9x10.9 A. Ubbp-1 and Ubbp-2 fluoresce at room temperature. - Graphical Abstract: Illustration of the three-dimensional open-framework structure of {l_brace}(UO{sub 2})[C{sub 6}H{sub 2}F{sub 2}(PO{sub 2}OH){sub 2}(H{sub 2}O){r_brace}{sub 2}.H{sub 2}O viewed along the c-axis. The structure is constructed from UO{sub 7} units, pentagonal bipyramids=green, oxygen=red, phosphorus=magenta, carbon=black, hydrogen=white. Highlights: > The influence of the uranyl salt anions and pH were critically examined in relation to structural variation. > The acetate and nitrate counter ions of uranyl may be acting as structure directing agents. > The use of rigid phenyl spacer yield a three-dimensional network of pillared structures of uranyl diphosphonates that fluoresce. > The fluorination of the phenyl ring under hydrothermal condition. > The large voids in this structure are suggestive of potential applications in sorption, separation of gases and in catalytic processes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

ThC 2 @C 82 versus Th@C 84 : unexpected formation of triangular thorium carbide cluster inside fullerenes

Synthesis of the first thorium-containing clusterfullerenes, ThC 2 @C s (6)–C 82 and ThC 2 @C 2 (5)–C 82 , is reported. These two novel actinide fullerene compounds were characterized by mass spectrometry, single-crystal X-ray diffraction crystallography, UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. Crystallographic studies reveal that the encapsulated ThC 2 clusters in both C s (6)–C 82 and C 2 (5)–C 82 feature a novel bonding structure with one thorium metal center connected by a C≡C unit, forming an isosceles triangular configuration, which has not been hitherto observed for endohedral fullerenes or for solid phase thorium carbides. Electronic structure calculations assign a formal electronic structure of [Th 4+ (C 2 ) 2- ] 2+ @[C 82 ] 2- , with pronounced donation bonding from (C 2 ) 2- to Th 4+ , secondary backbonding from the fullerene to thorium and Th–C double bond character in both compounds. This work presents a new family of endohedral fullerenes, MC 2 @C 2n-2 , being unexpected isomers of MC 2n , and provides broader understanding of thorium bonding.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2011

First-principles study of noble gas impurities and defects in UO{sub 2}

We performed a series of density functional theory + U (DFT + U) calculations to explore the energetics of various defects in UO{sub 2}, i.e., noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe), Schottky defects, and the interaction between these defects. We found the following: (1) collinear antiferromagnetic UO{sub 2} has an energy-lowering distortion of the oxygen sublattice from ideal fluorite positions; (2) DFT + U qualitatively affects the formation volume of Schottky defect clusters in UO{sub 2} (without U the formation volume is negative, but including U the formation volume is positive); (3) the configuration of the Schottky defect cluster is dictated by a competition between electrostatic and surface energy effects; (4) the incorporation energy of inserting noble gas atoms into an interstitial site has a strong dependence on the volume of the noble gas atom, corresponding to the strain it causes in the interstitial site, from He (0.98 eV) to Xe (9.73 eV); (5) the energetics of each of the noble gas atoms incorporated in Schottky defects show strong favorable binding, due to strain relief associated with moving the noble gas atom from the highly strained interstitial position into the vacant space of the Schottky defect; and (6) for argon, krypton, and xenon, the binding energy of a noble gas impurity with the Schottky defect is larger than the formation energy of a Schottky defect, thereby making the formation of Schottky defects thermodynamically favorable in the presence of these large impurities.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗