Synthesis of Uranium Dioxide Spheres via Internal Gelation and their Characterization
Project no. 216 · Status: Kapanmış · 2018
Summary
In this study, it is aimed to obtain easy sinterable, high homogeneity and density UO3.NH3.H2O spheres by using sol-gel technique with the precursor chemicals of UO2(NO3)2.6H2O, CO(NH2)2 and C6H12N4. Uranium nitrate solution was prepared with a metal concentration of 1M in order to obtain durable soles suitable for gelling by utilizing the gelling property of uranium. Gelling-retarding urea was added to this solution, then sol solution was prepared by adding HMTA as the ammonia source. The prepared sol solution was gelled in the form of spheres using injection tip and spiral gelling column. For this purpose, the system consisting of peristaltic pump, injection tip, spiral gelling column and connections were designed and manufactured. The characterization studies of obtained gel spheres were carried out after ageing and drying. For this purpose, the thermal behavior of the beads was investigated by TG / DTA analysis, BET surface area and BJH porosity analyses were performed. As a conclusion, UO3.NH3.H2O beads were obtained successfully by using sol-gel method. In the next stage, the obtained UO3.NH3.H2O spheres can be converted to UO2 by reducing them in H2 environment. Keywords: Uranium, urea, HMTA, sol-gel, internal gelation.