Mössbauer study and structural characterization of UO2–Gd2O3 sintered compounds

Samples of UO2and up to 10 wt% of Gd2O3 were prepared by solid-state reaction under a reducing atmosphere, in a thermal path comprising ramps and dwell times in the temperature range of 900-1750 DGC. The sintered material was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and 155Gd Mossbauer spectroscopy. The result...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nuclear materials 2008-08, Vol.378 (1), p.25-29
Main Authors: Pagano Jr, L, Valenca, G P, Silva, S L, Claudio, A E L, Ivashita, F F, Barco, R, de Medeiros, S N, Paesano Jr, A
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Samples of UO2and up to 10 wt% of Gd2O3 were prepared by solid-state reaction under a reducing atmosphere, in a thermal path comprising ramps and dwell times in the temperature range of 900-1750 DGC. The sintered material was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and 155Gd Mossbauer spectroscopy. The results showed that for samples annealed up to 900 DGC, the gadolinium sesquioxide remained unreacted. However, when the temperature was increased to 1300 DGC, a solid-state reaction took place forming mixed oxides. For the more severe sintering condition, at 1750 DGC, gadolinia left urania partially unreacted producing a material consisting of two compositions, UO2 (with no dissolved gadolinium) and (U, Gd)O2. The proposed heating cycle provided pellets free from Gd2O3 phase and may be used by the nuclear fuel industry as a suitable sintering process.
ISSN:0022-3115
DOI:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2008.03.024