Synthesis and Morphological Control of UOF Particulates.

Uranium-based microspheres are of interest due to their potential applications as targets for medical isotopes production, as fuel for nuclear reactors, and as standardized materials for nuclear forensics. Here, for the first time, UOF microspheres (1-2 μm) have been prepared from the reaction between UO microspheres and AgHF in an autoclave. In this preparation, a new fluorination method has been applied, and HF-produced from the thermal decomposition of AgHF and NHHF-was used as the fluorinating agent. The microspheres were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Diffraction results indicated that the reaction performed with AgHF at 200 °C led to anhydrous UOF microspheres, while at 150 °C, hydrated UOF microspheres were obtained. Meanwhile, NHHF led to the formation of contaminated products as driven by the formation of volatile species.