Issue 6, 2022

Synthetic uranium oxide hydrate materials: Current advances and future perspectives

Abstract

Uranium oxide hydrate (UOH) materials, a group of minerals and synthetic phases, have attracted recent attention due to their high structural flexibility and diversity as well as their primary relationship with natural weathering of the mineral uraninite and the alteration of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in geological disposal. Due to the limited structural and chemical understanding of UOH minerals, synthetic UOH phases provide a unique opportunity to fill existing knowledge gaps through the exploration of further structural diversity and distinctive properties, as well as potential applications. Some of the latest developments of synthetic UOH phases include the incorporation of 3d transition metal and lanthanide ions, the evolution of uranyl oxide hydroxide layers driven by interlayer charge, the structural diversity of uranyl oxide hydrate frameworks, and the intrinsic driving force for the formation of diversified structural types. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest advancements of synthetic UOH phases with 3d transition and lanthanide metal ions, including their syntheses, structural diversities, microstructures, uranium valences, vibration modes, and structural and chemical complexities. It also highlights the subsequent implications of these advancements on uranium geochemistry and SNF alterations, amongst other potential applications. A further discussion on technical challenges and knowledge gaps is included to identify areas for future research.

Graphical abstract: Synthetic uranium oxide hydrate materials: Current advances and future perspectives

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
19 nov. 2021
Accepted
22 dic. 2021
First published
22 dic. 2021

Dalton Trans., 2022,51, 2158-2169

Synthetic uranium oxide hydrate materials: Current advances and future perspectives

Y. Zhang, K. T. Lu and R. Zheng, Dalton Trans., 2022, 51, 2158 DOI: 10.1039/D1DT03916D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements