The incorporation of neptunium and plutonium in thorutite (ThTi2O6)

Abstract

The incorporation of neptunium (Np) and plutonium (Pu) into the brannerite structured lattice was studied using thorutite (ThTi2O6) as host lattice and sintering in air. The uncompensated Np and Pu doped samples and the low Y-charge compensated Np and Pu doped samples showed main phases as designed together with trace amounts of rutile. Those samples with larger amounts of Y produced yttrium pyrochlores as an additional minor phase. XRD analyses reveal anisotropic changes of the cell parameters; the a-parameter contracts while b- and c-parameters expand with mean cationic radius. This is in reasonable agreement with previous experimental data on ThTi2O6 and Ce0.975Ti2O5.95. Attempts to form Np or Pu valences >4+ by adding Y as a charge compensator were unsuccessful, suggesting that tetravalent Np and Pu ions are favoured in air-fired thorutite. © 2013, Elsevier B.V.