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Oxidation of Plutonium Metal

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Abstract

The processes leading to the production of plutonium oxide powders as a result of the interaction of plutonium metal with moist (5% H2O) air and moist (5% H2O) argon are investigated. The kinetic curves in the range 250–400°C are obtained. The oxidation is shown to occur in stages; the activation energy of each stage is calculated. A mechanism of the oxidation of plutonium is proposed.

It is shown that the plutonium oxides obtained in moist air and moist argon at 300–400°C possess a high reactivity and/or are suitable for further chemical processing – dissolution in nitric acid, fluoridation, and chlorination. 6 figures, 2 tables, 7 references.

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REFERENCES

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Russian Science Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Russia

    I. A. Tsarenko, V. F. Serik & V. V. Titov

  2. Siberian Chemical Combine, Russia

    V. S. Akishin & V. A. Khokhlov

Authors
  1. I. A. Tsarenko
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  2. V. F. Serik
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  3. V. V. Titov
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  4. V. S. Akishin
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  5. V. A. Khokhlov
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Tsarenko, I.A., Serik, V.F., Titov, V.V. et al. Oxidation of Plutonium Metal. Atomic Energy 89, 954–960 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011366803541

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011366803541

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