The oxidation of uranium mononitride is a potential issue when considering this material as a nuclear fuel. This work investigates the rate and mechanism of this reaction at room temperature, giving insight into fuel surface oxidation during manufacture and storage. Chemical and structural investigation of the ideal surface of an epitaxial (001) UN thin film, shows that a UO2+xNy layer forms on the surface, highlighting the need for better understanding of the U-N-O system. Below this, a U2N3 interlayer is detected. The topotactic formation of these layers is predicted to play a critical role in the passivation measured during long-duration structural investigation.
Oxidation and passivation of the uranium nitride (001) surface
Cattelan M.;
2022
Abstract
The oxidation of uranium mononitride is a potential issue when considering this material as a nuclear fuel. This work investigates the rate and mechanism of this reaction at room temperature, giving insight into fuel surface oxidation during manufacture and storage. Chemical and structural investigation of the ideal surface of an epitaxial (001) UN thin film, shows that a UO2+xNy layer forms on the surface, highlighting the need for better understanding of the U-N-O system. Below this, a U2N3 interlayer is detected. The topotactic formation of these layers is predicted to play a critical role in the passivation measured during long-duration structural investigation.
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