XPS Investigation on Changes in UO2 Speciation following Exposure to Humidity. Issue 44 (27th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donald, Scott B.; Davisson, M. Lee; Nelson, Art J.
• Is Part Of: MRS advances. Volume 1:Issue 44(2016)
• Page Start: 2993
• Page End: 2997
• Publication Date: 2016-04-27
• Subjects: actinide, -- x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), -- surface chemistry; Electrical engineering -- Congresses; Physics -- Congresses; Materials -- Research -- Congresses; Materials science -- Congresses; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1557/adv.2016.286
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-8521

Abstract

ABSTRACT: High purity UO2 powder samples were subjected to accelerated aging under controlled conditions with relative humidity ranging from 34% to 98%. Characterization of the chemical speciation of the products was accomplished using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A shift to higher uranium oxidation states was found to be directly correlated to increased relative humidity exposure. Additionally, the relative abundance of O 2-, OH -, and H2 O was found to vary with exposure time. Thus, it is expected that uranium oxide materials exposed to high relative humidity conditions during processing and storage would display a similar increase in average uranium valence.