Raman spectrum of U4O9: a new interpretation of damage lines in UO2

Lionel Desgranges (1) , G. Baldinozzi (2) , Patrick Simon (3) , G. Guimbretiere (3) , A. Canizares (3)

1 LM2C - Laboratoire de Modélisation Multi-échelles des Combustibles
2 SPMS - Laboratoire Structures, Propriétés et Modélisation des solides
3 CEMHTI - Conditions Extrêmes et Matériaux : Haute Température et Irradiation

Characterisation of uranium oxides in different conditions is a challenge both in nuclear and environment sciences. We focus here on U4O9, which is a superstructure of UO2. Homogeneous U4O9 powder was fabricated and characterised by Raman spectroscopy. The Raman spectrum of a pure-phase U4O9 is, for the first time, completely described and interpreted. U4O9 Raman spectrum derives from the well characterised one of UO2. Besides reminiscent modes of UO2, a band at 630 cm-1, which has a specific response to polarised light, was interpreted as characteristic of clusters of interstitial oxygen atoms. These experimental data will help to rationalise the interpretation of UO2 damaged samples.

Domaines: Matériaux

Lionel Desgranges, G. Baldinozzi, Patrick Simon, G. Guimbretiere, A. Canizares. Raman spectrum of U4O9: a new interpretation of damage lines in UO2. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 2012, 43, pp.455-458. ⟨10.1002/jrs.3054⟩. ⟨hal-00638788⟩