Isotopic tracer studies on the thermal decomposition of uranium peroxide

Abstract

Isotopic tracer studies using 18O show that on the decomposition of UO 4·2H 2O, the oxygen formed originates entirely in the peroxide, and that water is liberated without contamination by “uranyl” or “peroxide” oxygen. The second observation shows that only the oxide formed on decomposition of O 2 2− is incorporated into the product UO 3, and also proves that UO 3·H 2O 2·H 2O is not a proper constitutional formula of the peroxide. The conclusions summarized depend on observations for systems in which only partial decomposition has taken place. The products do inter-equilibrate readily, and samples removed after complete decomposition show evidence of this.