Back to Search Start Over

Superoxide Radicals in Uranyl Peroxide Solids: Lasting Signatures Identified by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Authors :
Scherrer, Sarah K.
Gates, Cassandra
Rajapaksha, Harindu
Greer, Samuel M.
Stein, Benjamin W.
Forbes, Tori Z.
Source :
Angewandte Chemie International Edition; 5/21/2024, Vol. 63 Issue 21, p1-5, 5p
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

U(VI) peroxide phases (studtite and meta‐studtite) are found throughout the nuclear fuel cycle and exist as corrosion products in high radiation fields. Peroxides are part of a family of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that include hydroperoxyl and superoxide species and are produced during alpha radiolysis of water. While U(VI) peroxides have been thoroughly investigated, the incorporation and stability of ROS species within studtite have not been validated. In the current study, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to identify the presence of free radicals within a series of U(VI) peroxide samples containing depleted, highly enriched, and natural uranium. Density functional theory calculations indicated that the predicted EPR signals matched well with a superoxide (O2−⋅) species incorporated into the studtite structure, confirming the presence of ROS in the material. Further analysis of samples that were synthesized between 1945 and 2023 indicated that there is a correlation between the radical signal and the product of specific activity multiplied by age of the sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
14337851
Volume :
63
Issue :
21
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Angewandte Chemie International Edition
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
177192352
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202400379