Comparing results of X-ray diffraction, µ-Raman spectroscopy and neutron diffraction when identifying chemical phases in seized nuclear material, during a comparative nuclear forensics exercise
Journal article, 2018
This work presents the results for identification of chemical phases obtained by several laboratories as a part of an international nuclear forensic round-robin exercise. In this work powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD) is regarded as the reference technique. Neutron diffraction produced a superior high-angle diffraction pattern relative to p-XRD. Requiring only small amounts of sample, µ-Raman spectroscopy was used for the first time in this context as a potentially complementary technique to p-XRD. The chemical phases were identified as pure UO 2 in two materials, and as a mixture of UO 2 , U 3 O 8 and an intermediate species U 3 O 7 in the third material.
XRD
Phase identification
Uranium oxide
Neutron diffraction
Nuclear forensics
µ-Raman Spectroscopy
Author
Stina Holmgren Rondahl
Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Fabien Pointurier
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
Linnea Ahlinder
Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Henrik Ramebäck
Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)
Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Energy and Material
Olivier Marie
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
Brice Ravat
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
François Delaunay
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA)
Emma Young
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Ned Blagojevic
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
James R. Hester
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Gordon Thorogood
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation
Aubrey N. Nelwamondo
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA)
Tshepo P. Ntsoane
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA)
Sarah K. Roberts
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Kiel S. Holliday
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
0236-5731 (ISSN) 1588-2780 (eISSN)
Vol. 315 2 395-408Subject Categories
Inorganic Chemistry
Ceramics
Materials Chemistry
DOI
10.1007/s10967-017-5666-3