Determination of U3O8 in UO2 by infrared spectroscopy

Abstract The oxygen-uranium (O-U) system has various oxides, such as UO2, U4O9, U3O8, and UO3. Uranium dioxide is the most important one because it is used as nuclear fuel in nuclear power plants. UO2 can have a wide stoichiometric variation due to excess or deficiency of oxygen in its crystal lattice, which can cause significant modifications of its proprieties. O/U relation determination by gravimetry cannot differentiate a stoichiometric deviation from contents of other uranium oxides in UO2. The presence of other oxides in the manufacturing of UO2 powder or sintered pellets is a critical f...