Scientific Reports (Jan 2024)

Fabrication, defect chemistry and microstructure of Mn-doped UO2

  • H. Smith,
  • L. T. Townsend,
  • R. Mohun,
  • J. F. W. Mosselmans,
  • K. Kvashnina,
  • Neil C. Hyatt,
  • C. L. Corkhill

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-50676-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 1
pp. 1 – 12

Abstract

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Abstract Mn-doped UO2 is under consideration for use as an accident tolerant nuclear fuel. We detail the synthesis of Mn-doped UO2 prepared via a wet co-precipitation method, which was refined to improve the yield of incorporated Mn. To verify the Mn-doped UO2 defect chemistry, X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Mn K-edge was performed, in addition to X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and high-energy resolved fluorescence detection X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy at the U M4-edge. It was established that Mn2+ directly substitutes for U4+ in the UO2 lattice, accompanied by oxygen vacancy (Ov) charge compensation. In contrast to other divalent-element doped UO2 materials, compelling evidence for U5+ in a charge compensating role was not found. This work furthers understanding of the structure and crystal chemistry of Mn-doped UO2, which could show potential advantages as a novel efficient advanced nuclear fuel.