Lattice Parameters of Mixed Oxides in Sm-U-O System

The oxidation-reduction properties of mixed oxides in the system Sm-U-O and the variation of their lattice parameters due to oxidation and reduction were examined by means of thermogravimetry and X-ray diffraction. For mixed oxides SmyU1-yO2±x prepared in air, the O/M ratio decreased linearly from 2.667 at y= 0 to nearly stoichiometric 2.02 at y=0.5. The 0/M ratios at y>0.5 were on the line connecting 2.667 at y= 0 with 1.50 at y =1. The single phase region of the fluorite structure was between y = 0.5 and 0.6. The lattice parameters of the fluorite phase at ≤0.6 were constant, 5.418×10−10m. For mixed oxides prepared in hydrogen, the 0/M ratio decreased linearly from 2.00 at y = 0 to 1.84 at y = 0.5, and from 1.84 at y = 0.5 to 1.50 at y = 1. The quenched oxides were single phase compounds except those for y = 0.1, 0.6 and 0.9. The lattice parameter of the fluorite structure decreased from 5.4700 at y = 0 to 5.427 × 10−10 m of Smo.4U0.6O1.854. and was kept constant between y = 0.4 and 0.5, then increased ...