Synthesis, characterization, and stability of Americium Phosphate, AmPO4

AmPO4 was prepared by a solid-state reaction method, and its crystal structure at room temperature was solved by powder X-ray diffraction combined with Rietveld refinement. The purity of the monazite-like phase was confirmed by spectroscopic (high-resolution solid-state 31P NMR and Raman) and microscopic (SEM-EDX and TEM) techniques. The thermal and self-irradiation stability have been studied. The compound is stable under argon and air atmosphere at least up to 1773 K. It remains crystalline under self-irradiation for circa two months, with a crystallographic volume swelling of ∼1.5%, and then is amorphizing over a year. However, microcrystals are present in the amorphous material even after a two year period of time. All these characteristics are discussed in relation to the potential application of AmPO4 as a stable form of Am in radioisotope power sources for space exploration and of behavior of the monazites under irradiation.

POPA Karin;  VIGIER Jean-Francois;  MARTEL Laura;  MANARA Dario;  COLLE Jean-Yves;  DIESTE BLANCO Oliver;  WISS Thierry;  FREIS Daniel;  KONINGS Rudy; 

2020-05-05

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

JRC119876

0020-1669 (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC119876,   

10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c00697 (online),