Study on the Formation of Cs-U-O from the Reaction between Cs2O and UO2

Abstract

Reactions between UO₂ and Cs₂O in various Cs/U compounds (atom ratios: 0.5~3.0) were investigated in a temperature range of 30 to 1100 ºC using a thermogravimetric analyzer and differential scanning calorimeter. The formation of Cs-U-O was determined by the appearance of exothermic peaks at 186 ºC and 240 ºC in differential scanning calorimeter and weight loss depending on the Cs/U ratio from 200 ºC to 250 ºC and from 610 ºC to 710 ºC when using a TGA. By chemical analysis, it was determined that the formation of Cs-U-O increased linearly with the Cs/U ratio. From X-ray diffractometer measurements, diffraction patterns of Cs₂UO₄ and Cs₂U₂O₇ were observed when heated to 500 ºC and 1100 ºC, respectively.