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Uranium Oxide Nanocrystals by Microwave‐Assisted Thermal Decomposition: Electronic and Structural Properties
Author(s) -
Leduc Jennifer,
Pacold Joseph I.,
Shuh David K.,
Dong ChungLi,
Mathur Sanjay
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
zeitschrift für anorganische und allgemeine chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.354
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1521-3749
pISSN - 0044-2313
DOI - 10.1002/zaac.201700294
Subject(s) - uranium , catalysis , nanocrystal , uranium oxide , materials science , thermal decomposition , oxide , context (archaeology) , decomposition , microwave , phase (matter) , nanoparticle , transition metal , absorption (acoustics) , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , inorganic chemistry , chemistry , metallurgy , computer science , organic chemistry , paleontology , telecommunications , engineering , composite material , biology
Uranium oxides have attracted much attention not only in the context of nuclear energy generation but also for their application as pristine catalysts or as supports for other (transition metal) oxides and (precious) metals. Their propensity to adopt high coordination numbers and manifest multiple oxidation states (from +II to +VI) makes them attractive candidates for catalyzed transformation reactions. Herein, we report a new synthesis route to phase‐pure, crystalline UO 2 nanoparticles via microwave‐assisted decomposition of a molecular uranium(IV) precursor. The electronic structure and optical absorption properties of these nanocrystals were investigated using spectroscopic methods to evaluate their suitability for photo(electro)catalytic applications.