Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in nuclear energy chemistry

Abstract

Summary.With the rapid growth of human demands for nuclear energy and in response to the challenges of nuclear energy development, the world's major nuclear countries have started research and development work on advanced nuclear energy systems in which new materials and new technologies are considered to play important roles. Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies, which have gained extensive attention in recent years, have shown a wide range of application potentials in future nuclear energy system. In this review, the basic research progress in nanomaterials and nanotechnologies for advanced nuclear fuel fabrication, spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, nuclear waste disposal and nuclear environmental remediation is selectively highlighted, with the emphasis on Chinese research achievements. In addition, the challenges and opportunities of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in future advanced nuclear energy system are also discussed.

Exploring Actinide Materials Through Synchrotron Radiation Techniques

“…However, before achieving its full potential, nuclear energy is still confronted with several grand challenges such as the maximization of the utilization of uranium resources, the lifetime maximization of the existing nuclear power plants, the resistance towards nuclear weapon proliferation, and the minimization of nuclear waste via plausible reprocessing . The investigation of actinide materials always lies in the central position to address the challenges of nuclear energy because actinide materials are closely related to almost all stages of nuclear fuel cycle such as nuclear fuel fabrication, spent fuel reprocessing, and nuclear waste disposal …”

Advanced Nanomaterials for Nuclear Energy and Nanotechnology

“…Shi et al, in their review paper entitled “Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies in nuclear energy chemistry,” discussed the research in nanomaterials and nanotechnologies for advanced nuclear fuel fabrication and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. Nature magazine highlighted and reported the research on uranium dioxide nanocrystals for nuclear fuel in the journal Nature Nanotechnology under the title “Uranium dioxide: nano goes nuclear.” The researches on UO 2 nanoporous materials, in controlling their size and structure and its ability to adsorb fission products, are the milestones of success for achieving the possibility of engineered nanomaterials in nuclear reactors.…”

Uranium Oxide Nanocrystals by Microwave‐Assisted Thermal Decomposition: Electronic and Structural Properties

“…Despite their favorable physical and chemical properties, there are only few reports on functional properties of uranium oxide nanomaterials. [3] This results mainly from the facile valence dynamics, which makes the stoichiometric control and preparation of phase pure nanomaterials rather difficult.…”