Crystallization of a Neptunyl Oxalate Hydrate from Solutions Containing NpV and the Uranyl Peroxide Nanocluster U60Ox30

Abstract

AbstractUranyl peroxide nanoclusters are an evolving family of materials with potential applications throughout the nuclear fuel cycle. While several studies have investigated their interactions with alkali and alkaline earth metals, no studies have probed their interactions with the actinide elements. This work describes a system containing U60Ox30, [((UO2)(O2))60(C2O4)30]60−, and neptunium(V) as a function of neptunium concentration. Ultra‐small and small angle X‐ray scattering were used to observe these interactions in the aqueous phase, and X‐ray diffraction was used to observe solid products. The results show that neptunium induces aggregation of U60Ox30 when the neptunium concentration is≤10 mM, whereas (NpO2)2C2O4 ⋅ 6H2O(cr) and studtite ultimately form at 15–25 mM neptunium. The latter result suggests that neptunium coordinates with the bridging oxalate ligands in U60Ox30, leaving metastable uranyl peroxide species in solution. This is an important finding given the potential application of uranyl peroxide nanoclusters in the recycling of used nuclear fuel.