Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of Uranium Oxyfluoride Particulate Material for Nuclear Safeguards

Abstract

Environmental samples collected by safeguards organizations such as IAEA often contain particles of uranium oxyfluoride. UO2F2 is a compound formed from the hydrolysis of uranium hexafluoride. In order to investigate its changes in the environment, uranium oxyfluoride particulate material was measured by micro-Raman spectroscopy. The uranyl symmetric stretching frequency was detected in the majority of the spectra. Depending on the conditions under which the particles were prepared and stored, additional peaks and features appeared in the spectrum. Experiments were carried out using different incident laser wavelengths at the lowest possible power setting, as the particles appeared to be very heat-sensitive.