Thermal decomposition of UO3 hydrates

Abstract

Thermal decomposition, crystal structure and methods of preparation of the various compounds formed between UO3 and H20 are reviewed. A preliminary study of the thermal decomposition of single crystals of a-UO2(OH)2 is described. Hot-stage optical microscopy was used to determine physical changes which accompany decomposition, and single crystal x-ray diffraction helped to identify both the decomposition products and their preferred orientations.