X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of the reduction and oxidation of uranium and cerium single oxide compared to (U-Ce) mixed oxide films

Journal article (2018)

Authors

R Eloirdi European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe
P. Cakir RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials - AS , European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe
F. Huber European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe
AF Seibert European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe
R. Konings European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe, RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials - AS
T Gouder European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements Karlsruhe
Research Group
BN/Marileen Dogterom Lab (AS) (TU Delft)
XPS Thin film Cerium Redox Uranium Mixed oxide
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Published Date

2018

Language

English

Reuse Rights

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Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

BN/Bionanoscience

Research Group

BN/Marileen Dogterom Lab

Abstract

Thin films of uranium cerium mixed oxides UxCe1−xO2±y have been prepared by DC sputtering and characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Reduction and oxidation properties were analysed by exposing the films to atomic hydrogen and to atomic oxygen, respectively. Possible interaction between uranium and cerium were investigated by comparing the compounds to the single oxides of cerium and uranium. Uranium seems to promote the reduction of cerium. Conversely cerium promotes oxidation of uranium. Under our deposition conditions, it was not possible to produce pure U(IV) together with pure Ce(IV). The synthesis of U2O5 with U(V) cannot be obtained directly by DC sputtering, whereas with addition of cerium, U(V) seems to be stabilized and obtained more easily. This can be related to a charge transfer between Ce(IV) and U(IV).