UI4(1,4-dioxane)2 was subjected
to laser-based
heatinga method that enables localized, fast heating (T > 2000 °C) and rapid cooling under controlled
conditions
(scan rate, power, atmosphere, etc.)to understand its thermal
decomposition. A predictive computational thermodynamic technique
estimated the decomposition temperature of UI4(1,4-dioxane)2 to uranium (U) metal to be 2236 °C, a temperature achievable
under laser irradiation. Dictated by the presence of reactive, gaseous
byproducts, the thermal decomposition of UI4(1,4-dioxane)2 under furnace conditions up to 600 °C revealed the formation
of UO2, UI
x
, and U(C1–x
O
x
)
y
, while under laser irradiation, UI4(1,4-dioxane)2 decomposed to UO2, U(C1–x
O
x
)
y
, UC2–z
O
z
, and UC. Despite the fast dynamics associated with laser irradiation,
the central uranium atom reacted with the thermal decomposition products
of the ligand (1,4-dioxane = C4H8O2) instead of producing pure U metal. The results highlight the potential
to co-develop uranium precursors with specific irradiation procedures
to advance nuclear materials research by finding new pathways to produce
uranium carbide.
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