Published October 2022 | Version v1
Journal article

A layer containing carbon slows down oxidation of metal plutonium

  • 1. CEA DAM - Valduc, 21510 Salives (France)
  • 2. Laboratoire interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne, Universite de Bourgogne-Franche-Comte, Dijon (France)

Description

Plutonium is very sensitive to oxidation. In contact with oxygen, 2 layers of different plutonium oxides appear on metal plutonium: Pu2O3 in direct contact with the metal and PuO2 on the surface. When metal plutonium containing a certain amount of carbon and is heated to 350 C. degrees in a vacuum, a layer of plutonium oxycarbide appears: PuCxOy. Calculations have shown that the chemical formula is PuC0.2O0.8. A comparative study has shown that the layer of plutonium oxycarbide slows down further oxidation. (A.C.)

Additional details

Additional titles

Original title (French)
Une couche carbonee pour ralentir l'oxydation du plutonium

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Chocs Avancees
Journal Issue
no.16
Journal Page Range
p. 46-47
ISSN
1961-7399

Optional Information

Notes
2 refs.