Exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at elevated temperatures
Abstract Uranium dioxide (UO2) is a complex material with significant relevance to nuclear energy, materials science, and fundamental research. Understanding its high-temperature behavior is crucial for developing new uranium-based materials and improving nuclear fuel efficiency in nuclear reactors....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Communications Materials |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00795-2 |
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| author | Elena F. Bazarkina Stephen Bauters Yves Watier Stephan Weiss Sergei M. Butorin Kristina O. Kvashnina |
| author_facet | Elena F. Bazarkina Stephen Bauters Yves Watier Stephan Weiss Sergei M. Butorin Kristina O. Kvashnina |
| author_sort | Elena F. Bazarkina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Uranium dioxide (UO2) is a complex material with significant relevance to nuclear energy, materials science, and fundamental research. Understanding its high-temperature behavior is crucial for developing new uranium-based materials and improving nuclear fuel efficiency in nuclear reactors. Here we study the evolution of uranium state during the oxidation of UO2 in air at temperatures up to 550 °C using the in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy in high energy resolution fluorescence detection mode at the U M4 edge, combined with electronic structure calculations. Our data reveal a complex sequence of events occurring over minutes and hours at elevated temperatures, including changes in the electronic and local structure, 5 f electron occupancy, the formation of U cuboctahedral clusters, and the creation of U4O9 and U3O7 mixed U oxide phases. These findings highlight the fundamental role of clustering processes and pentavalent uranium in both the oxidation process and the stabilization of uranium materials. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1bd38698791f4dc2ab8af91beb5a69c3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2662-4443 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Materials |
| spelling | doaj-art-1bd38698791f4dc2ab8af91beb5a69c32025-08-20T02:28:10ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Materials2662-44432025-04-01611910.1038/s43246-025-00795-2Exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at elevated temperaturesElena F. Bazarkina0Stephen Bauters1Yves Watier2Stephan Weiss3Sergei M. Butorin4Kristina O. Kvashnina5Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)ESRF, The European Synchrotron, CS40220Institute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)Condensed Matter Physics of Energy Materials, X-ray Photon Science, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala UniversityInstitute of Resource Ecology, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)Abstract Uranium dioxide (UO2) is a complex material with significant relevance to nuclear energy, materials science, and fundamental research. Understanding its high-temperature behavior is crucial for developing new uranium-based materials and improving nuclear fuel efficiency in nuclear reactors. Here we study the evolution of uranium state during the oxidation of UO2 in air at temperatures up to 550 °C using the in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy in high energy resolution fluorescence detection mode at the U M4 edge, combined with electronic structure calculations. Our data reveal a complex sequence of events occurring over minutes and hours at elevated temperatures, including changes in the electronic and local structure, 5 f electron occupancy, the formation of U cuboctahedral clusters, and the creation of U4O9 and U3O7 mixed U oxide phases. These findings highlight the fundamental role of clustering processes and pentavalent uranium in both the oxidation process and the stabilization of uranium materials.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00795-2 |
| spellingShingle | Elena F. Bazarkina Stephen Bauters Yves Watier Stephan Weiss Sergei M. Butorin Kristina O. Kvashnina Exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at elevated temperatures Communications Materials |
| title | Exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at elevated temperatures |
| title_full | Exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at elevated temperatures |
| title_fullStr | Exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at elevated temperatures |
| title_full_unstemmed | Exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at elevated temperatures |
| title_short | Exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution X-ray spectroscopy at elevated temperatures |
| title_sort | exploring cluster formation in uranium oxidation using high resolution x ray spectroscopy at elevated temperatures |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43246-025-00795-2 |
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