Electron beam induced synthesis of uranium dioxide nanoparticles: Effect of solvent composition

The effect of various compositions of solvents was investigated on the electron beam induced synthesis of uranium dioxide, UO₂ nanoparticles. The synthesis was carried out at different pHs from 2 to 7 in the aqueous solutions containing 10 mM uranyl nitrate and 10% 2-propanol. The formation of UO₂ nanoparticles was found to occur only in the pH range from 2.5 to 3.7. Experiments were also carried out in the aqueous solutions containing various other alcohols (10% v/v) such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 1-butanol or tert-butanol as well as in solutions containing 10 mM sodium formate at pH 3.4. The formation of UO₂ nanoparticles in the aqueous solutions was found to occur only in the presence of ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol or 1-butanol. It is therefore confirmed that the electron beam induced synthesis of UO₂ nanoparticles strongly depends on the solvent compositions as well as the pH of the medium. - Highlights: • UO₂ nanoparticles were found to be formed in the pH range from 2.5 to 3.7. • Ethanol, 1-, 2-propanol, 1-butanol support UO₂ nanoparticles in aqueous solutions. • Methanol, tert-butanol and formate do not favour UO₂ nanoparticle formation.