Single crystal growth and structural characterization of synthetic U(VI) peroxide phases, studtite (UO₂(O₂)(H₂O)₂·2H₂O) and metastudtite (UO₂(O₂)(H₂O)₂)

Abstract

A H2O2 vapor diffusion method resulted in the successful synthesis of uranyl peroxide, UO₂(O₂)(H₂O)₂·2H₂O (studtite) crystals, enabling the first direct structural refinement of synthetic material. Subsequent controlled dehydration of these crystals produced crystalline metastudtite, UO₂(O₂)(H₂O)₂, allowing for the experimental determination of its atomic structure.