Innovative preparation route for uranium carbide using citric acid as a carbon source. Issue 15 (15th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salvato, D.; Vigier, J.-F.; Dieste Blanco, O.; Martel, L.; Luzzi, L.; Somers, J.; Tyrpekl, V.
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 42:Issue 15(2016)
• Page Start: 16710
• Page End: 16717
• Publication Date: 2016-11-15
• Subjects: Uranium carbide -- Citric acid -- Carbothermal reduction -- Spark plasma sintering; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2016.07.138
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: The preparation of uranium carbide (UC) by carbothermal reduction and its sintering into dense pellets by conventional means require high temperatures for long periods. We have developed a preparation route yielding fine UC powder with significantly increased sinterability. At first, a mixture of nanocrystalline UO2 embedded in amorphous carbon (nano-UO2 /C) was obtained by thermal decomposition of a gel containing solubilised uranyl nitrate and citric acid. Later, the nano-UO2 /C powder was treated in a conventional furnace or in a modified spark plasma sintering facility at elevated temperatures (≥1200 °C) in order to obtain uranium carbide powder. The effects of initial composition, temperature, gas/vacuum atmosphere and the overall reaction kinetics are reported. Graphical Abstract: