Chronicles of plutonium peroxides: spectroscopic characterization of a new peroxo compound of Pu(IV).

Although hydrogen peroxide (HO) has been highly used in nuclear chemistry for more than 75 years, the preparation and literature description of tetravalent actinide peroxides remain surprisingly scarce. A new insight is given in this topic through the synthesis and thorough structural characterization of a new peroxo compound of Pu(IV).

Micrometric drilling of (meta-)studtite square platelets formed by pseudomorphic conversion of UO under high-frequency ultrasound.

Pseudomorphic transformations are related to chemical conversions of materials while conserving their shape and structural features. Structuring ceramic shapes this way can be used to tailor the physico-chemical properties of materials that can benefit particular applications. In the context of spent nuclear fuel storage interacting with radiolysis products, the sonochemical behavior of powdered UO was investigated in dilute aqueous solutions saturated with Ar/(20 %)O (20 °C).