Fabrication and characterization of U1−xAmxO2±δ compounds with high americium contents (x = 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5)

Abstract

Mixed uranium–americium oxides are considered promising compounds for americium transmutation in fast neutron reactors. A better understanding of these materials and of the U–Am–O phase diagram is, however, needed. Though many results in the literature describe U1−xAmxO2±δ (x⩽0.2) compounds, very few studies concern higher Am contents. In this context, this article reports the fabrication method of U1−xAmxO2±δ (0.3⩽x⩽0.5) and their preliminary characterization, notably by X-ray diffraction.