Exchange reactions of plutonium with silicides and estimation of the enthalpy of the formation of Pu5Si3

An approximate ΔHof,298 value has been determined for Pu5Si3 through a study of exchange reactions of selected metal silicides with plutonium. The reactions were carried out by arc-melting. Results show that Pu5Si3 is intermediate in stability between V3Si and Mo3Si, and has a ΔHof,298 of -52±13 kJ/g-atom. Estimates of ΔHof,298 for the higher plutonium silicides are: Pu3Si2 -54, PuSi -60, Pu3Si5 -58, and PuSi2 -56 kJ/g-atom with uncertainties of ±18 kJ/g-atom. The plutonium silicides are found to be more stable than both the thorium and uranium silicides. (orig.)