Exploring Actinide Materials Through Synchrotron Radiation Techniques

Abstract

Synchrotron radiation (SR) based techniques have been utilized with increasing frequency in the past decade to explore the brilliant and challenging sciences of actinide‐based materials. This trend is partially driven by the basic needs for multi‐scale actinide speciation and bonding information and also the realistic needs for nuclear energy research. In this review, recent research progresses on actinide related materials by means of various SR techniques were selectively highlighted and summarized, with the emphasis on X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and scattering spectroscopy, which are powerful tools to characterize actinide materials. In addition, advanced SR techniques for exploring future advanced nuclear fuel cycles dealing with actinides are illustrated as well.

Detection and identification of solids, surfaces, and solutions of uranium using vibrational spectroscopy

“…Powder and single X-ray diffraction techniques can detect and identify solid-state phases, but require milligram quantities of the material [28,29]. Higher-energy X-ray sources, such as those found at synchrotron facilities, overcome this limitation but require specialized instrumentation and dedicated staff support [30]. Mass spectrometry is more widely used and provides quantitative analysis along with some speciation information [31,32].…”

Abnormal Pressure‐Induced Photoluminescence Enhancement and Phase Decomposition in Pyrochlore La2Sn2O7

“…Therefore, investigating a material with good structural stability, chemical durability, and radiation tolerance under extreme conditions is necessary for developing new pressure sensors . Pyrochlore A 2 B 2 O 7 is a potential candidate for permanently disposing of high‐level radioactive waste in safe geologic repositories due to its chemical stability, low swelling, and excellent radiation tolerance . Also, pyrochlore is an attractive material because of its complex magnetic properties .…”

An in-situ X-ray absorption spectroelectrochemical study of the electroreduction of uranium ions in HCl, HNO3, and Na2CO3 solutions

“…Detailed information about the local structure around the atoms of a specific element can be obtained from X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). Numerous XAFS studies of the coordination structure of uranium complexes have been conducted and reviewed [2][3][4][5][6][7]. The technique enables the identification of the valence states of uranium during the redox reactions from the X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES [8][9][10][11][12][13].…”