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Synthesis and characterization of Th{sub 1−x}Ln{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} mixed-oxides

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► Th{sub 1−x}Ln{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} (Ln = Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Yb) were produced from oxalates precursors. ► The isomorphic thermal conversion of oxalates to oxides were followed by HT-ESEM. ► The stabilization of the ThO{sub 2} fluorite structure up to x = 0.4 was evidenced by XRD. ► Neodymium incorporation limits in solid solutions were determined by XRD and μ-Raman. ► Lanthanide incorporation mechanism in ThO{sub 2} structure was formally determined by μ-Raman. -- Abstract: Several Th{sub 1−x}Ln{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} mixed-oxides (Ln = Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er or Yb) were prepared from oxalate precursors. Structural and microstructural investigations of both initial precursors and resulting oxides were undertaken by XRD, μ-Raman spectroscopy and SEM, with a particular attention paid to the Th{sub 1−x}Nd{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} series. For oxides, XRD and μ-Raman agreed well with the stabilization of the Fm3{sup ¯}m structure up to x{sub Nd} = 0.4, thanks to the concomitant creation of oxygen vacancies, as also confirmed by μ-Raman. Then, a structural transition to the Ia3{sup ¯} superstructure occurred. For x{sub Nd} ≥ 0.49, mixed-oxides with an additional hexagonal Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3} phase were prepared. Besides, the unit cell parameter of the Th{sub 1−x}Ln{sub x}O{sub 2−x/2} series followed a quadratic relation versus the x substitution rate as a result of the combination between modifications of cationic radius and cation coordination, and the decrease of O-O repulsion linked to the presence of oxygen vacancies.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Phase transition and luminescence properties of GdTiNbO6:Eu3+ formed by hydrothermal route

Highlights: • Phase transition and luminescence of hydrothermal GdTiNbO{sub 6}:Eu{sup 3+} were investigated. • RE{sup 3+} radius 0.1061 nm was the boundary between the aeschynite and euxenite. • GdTiNbO{sub 6}:0.30Eu{sup 3+} was preferred for UV-B excitation, 0.50Eu{sup 3+} for Vis-light excitation. • The decay lifetime of 615 nm emission (ex = 405 nm) was 570∼571 μs. - Abstract: The dependences of phase transition and luminescence properties upon both Eu{sup 3+} concentration and heating temperature in air were investigated for GdTiNbO{sub 6}:Eu{sup 3+} fine crystals formed hydrothermally at 240 °C as aeschynite-type Eu{sub x}Gd{sub 1-x}TiNbO{sub 6} solid solution. The as-prepared aeschynite solid solution in the concentration range x ≥ 0.70 did not show the phase transformation from an aeschynite- to an euxenite-type structure caused by heating at 1300 °C for 1 h in air. The present study suggested that the phase boundary between the aeschynite- and euxenite-type RETiNbO{sub 6} in the EuTiNbO{sub 6}-GdTiNbO{sub 6} system, where RE was a rare earth, lay in the average RE{sup 3+} ionic radius 0.1061 nm. The intense emissions attributed to the {sup 5}D{sub 0}→{sup 7}F{sub 1} and {sup 5}D{sub 0}→{sup 7}F{sub 2} transitions of Eu{sup 3+} for the as-prepared samples were more improved by heating at 1100–1300°C in air. The material doped with 30 mol% Eu{sup 3+} was preferred for UV-B excitation, in contrast, the material with 50 mol% Eu{sup 3+} was preferred for visible light excitation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Nuclear Decay Data Evaluations at IFIN-HH, Romania

An IAEA Coordinated Research Project (CRP) on Updated Decay Data Library for Actinides was implemented during the period 2005-2012. The author participated in the CRP, as a representative of the Horia Hulubei National Institute of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), the Radionuclide Metrology Laboratory. Decay data for five actinide nuclides were evaluated by the author, according to the procedures and rules of the international cooperation Decay Data Evaluation Project (DDEP): {sup 236}U, {sup 234}Th, {sup 228}Ra, {sup 211}Bi and {sup 211}Po. The most important results, conclusions and some recommendations of the evaluator are presented. The IFIN-HH involvement in several new international and national research projects in the field is briefly mentioned; new evaluations and experimental determination of some nuclear decay data (photon absolute emission probability, half-life) for nuclear medicine applications are foreseen.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 210

Evaluated spectroscopic data for {sup 210}Au, {sup 210}Hg, {sup 210}Tl, {sup 210}Pb, {sup 210}Bi, {sup 210}Po, {sup 210}At, {sup 210}Rn, {sup 210}Fr, {sup 210}Ra, {sup 210}Ac, and {sup 210}Th and corresponding level schemes from radioactive decay and reaction studies are presented. This evaluation supersedes the previous evaluation by E. Browne (2003Br13). Highlights of this publication are the identification of new μs isomers of {sup 210}Hg by 2013Go10 and measurement of an excited level energy at 1709 keV 30 of {sup 210}Rn from {sup 214}Rn α decay: 68.6 μs by 2006Ku26 denoted as x+1664.6 in the Adopted Levels. Earlier experimental limits for x≤50 keV was proposed in 1979Po19 and 1982Po03 – (HI,xnγ)

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 209

The experimental data are evaluated for known nuclides of mass number A = 209 (Au,Hg,Tl,Pb,Bi,Po,At,Rn, Fr,Ra,Ac,Th). Detailed evaluated level properties and related nuclear structure information are presented, with the best values recommended for level energies, half-lives, γ–ray energies and intensities, decay data (energies, intensities and placement of radiations), and other spectroscopic data. This work supersedes the earlier full evaluation of A = 209 by M.J. Martin (1991Ma16)

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 227

The evaluated spectroscopic data are presented for ten known nuclides of mass 227 (Po, At, Rn, Fr, Ra, Ac, Th, Pa, U, Np). For {sup 227}Po, {sup 227}At, {sup 227}Rn, {sup 227}Pa, {sup 227}U and {sup 227}Np nuclei, only the ground-state information is available. Their decay characteristics are mostly unknown. Levels in {sup 227}Fr are known only from the decay of {sup 227}Rn to {sup 227}Fr. This decay scheme at present cannot be normalized to deduce γ intensities per 100 decays due to lack of knowledge about multipolarities of many low-energy transitions. The levels in {sup 227}Ra, {sup 227}Ac and {sup 227}Th are known from several decays and reactions, including particle-transfer data for {sup 227}Ra and {sup 227}Ac. The decay scheme of {sup 227}Ra to {sup 227}Ac was last studied in 1971 using small Ge detectors. Improved γ-ray intensity data need to be obtained with a better γ-detection system. The datasets for {sup 227}Ac have undergone extensive revisions, including detailed data for 231Pa α decay from 1986BaYK report, and single-proton transfer data from 1986MaYU thesis. High-spin (J>13/2 or so) structures are known only for 227Th. Level lifetime data are quite scarce for all the nuclides in this mass chain, thus limiting the knowledge of reduced transition probabilities. Band structures for {sup 227}Fr, {sup 227}Ra, {sup 227}Ac and {sup 227}Th are known in detail, together with evidence of weak octupole deformation and consequent parity-doublet structures. This evaluation was carried out as part of a joint IAEA-ICTP workshop for Nuclear Structure and Decay Data, organized and hosted by the IAEA, Vienna and ICTP, Trieste, March 24–28, 2014. The evaluation work was coordinated by B. Singh (McMaster). This work supersedes previous A=227 evaluation (2001Br31) published by E. Browne which covered literature before May 2001.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Recommended Nuclear Data for the Production of Selected Therapeutic Radionuclides

Increasing interest in the treatment of human disease by means of targeted radionuclide-based therapies requires an accurate understanding of achievable yields and quantification of realisable degrees of purity. Important studies within a more extensive Coordinated Research Project of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA CRP) have included in-depth assessments and evaluations of all available measured cross-section data for ten nuclear reactions leading to the formation of 131 Cs, 131 Ba, 225 Ac, 225 Ra, 227 Th, 227 Ac, 230 U and 230 Pa for various on-going and proposed therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine. Equivalent studies were also undertaken of possible reactions to produce the 178W /low-spin 178m Ta generator system that has been clinically applied in diagnosis by means of SPECT - these particular cross-section studies and recommendations are included in this paper for completeness. All available measured data have been critically reviewed and assessed to produce statistically consistent datasets. Selected datasets have been fitted by a least-squares method with Padé approximations of variable order to evaluate the production cross sections and corresponding uncertainties. New measurements have been made in some instances, and reported data have been adjusted to accommodate new nuclear decay or monitor reaction data which altered the original reported quantities adversely. Insufficient measured data are available in many cases to permit a reliable evaluation of cross sections, and these instances are discussed. Finally, recommended therapeutic radionuclide production reaction data and their uncertainties are available on the Web page of the IAEA Nuclear Data Section at www-nds.iaea.org/radionuclides/ and also at the IAEA medical portal www-nds.iaea.org/medportal/.

63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTAN↗

Nuclear Data Sheets for A=218

The evaluated data are presented for 11 known A=218 nulcides (Pb, Bi, Po, At, Rn, Fr, Ra, Ac, Th, Pa and U). For {sup 218}Pb, {sup 218}Bi, {sup 218}At and {sup 218}Pa, data are available only for the ground states. For {sup 218}U, only the g.s. and a high-spin isomer are known, with no data on γ-ray transitions available. For {sup 218}Po, ten excited states are known from {sup 218}Bi decay, with no knowledge on the multipolarities of gamma-ray transitions. For {sup 218}Th, five excited states in the g.s. band are known from an in-beam γ-ray study. Data on level half-lives, multipolarities and mixing ratios of gamma transitions is generally lacking for A=218 nuclei. The static magnetic dipole moment has been measured for only an isomer in {sup 218}Fr. With the exception of a new nuclide, {sup 218}Pb, and measurements of half-lives of ground states of a few nuclides of A=218 and A=222, no substantial structure information has become available since the previous evaluation in 2006. Q values are adopted from 2017Wa10 (AME-2016). The present evaluation supersedes the previous A=218 ENSDF evaluations, 2006Ja03, 1995El08, 1987El12 and 1977To13. This evaluation was carried out as part of a joint IAEA-ICTP workshop for Nuclear Structure and Decay Data, organized and hosted by the IAEA, Vienna, and ICTP, Trieste, October 15–26, 2018.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Mass spectrometric investigations into 3D printed parts to assess radiopurity as ultralow background materials for rare event physics detectors

The mass concentrations of 232 Th and 238 U in several 3D printing filaments and printed polymer parts are reported as measures of their radiopurity. In order to minimize background signals in rare event physics detectors, radiopure polymers are necessary as dielectric and structural materials in their construction. New data are reported for polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and two forms of polyetherimide (PEI, branded ULTEM 1010 and 9085). Data for starting filaments and both simple and complex printed parts are reported. PVDF filaments and simple printed beads, were found to have values of approximately 30 and 50 pg g -1 for 232 Th and 238 U, respectively, while a more complex spring clip part had slightly elevated 232 Th levels of 65 pg g -1 , with 238 U remaining at 50 pg g -1 . PPS filament was found to have concentrations of 270 and 710 pg g -1 for 232 Th and 238 U, respectively, and were not chosen to be printed as those levels were already higher than other material options. ULTEM 1010 filaments and printed complex spring clip parts were found to have concentrations of around 5 and 7 pg g -1 for 232 Th and 238 U, respectively, illustrating no significant contamination from the printing process. ULTEM 9085 filaments were found to have concentrations of around 9 and 5 pg g -1 for 232 Th and 238 U, respectively, while the printed complex spring clip part was found to have slightly elevated concentrations of 25 and 7 pg g -1 for 232 Th and 238 U, respectively. All these results were obtained using a novel dry ashing method in crucibles constructed of ultralow background electroformed copper or, when applicable, microwave assisted wet ashing digestion. Samples and process blanks were spiked with 229 Th and 233 U as internal standards prior to dry/wet ashing and determinations were made by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In order to maintain high radiopurity levels, pre-cleaning the filaments before printing and post-cleaning the parts is recommended, although the printing process itself has shown to contribute very minute amounts of radiocontaminants.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Synthesis and characterization of the actinide tosylimido complexes [K(18-crown-6)][An(NSO 2 -$p$-tolyl)(NR 2 ) 3 ] (An = U, Th; R = SiMe 3 )

Reaction of 1 equiv of KN(H)Ts (Ts = p-MeC 6 H 4 SO 2 ) with the actinide metallacycles, [An IV (CH 2 SiMe 2 NSiMe 3 )(NR 2 ) 2 ] (An = U, Th; R = SiMe 3 ), in the presence of 18-crown-6, affords the imido complexes, [K(18-crown-6)][An IV (NTs)(NR 2 ) 3 ] (An = U, 1; Th, 2), in modest to moderate yields after work-up. Both complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography and 1 H and 13 C{ 1 H} NMR spectroscopies. To our knowledge, they represent the first sulfonylimido complexes reported for the f elements. Finally, they are also a rare example of an isostructural set of actinide imido complexes.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

f-Element complexes with benzyl and cyclohexyl substituted trihydroborates

Actinide complexes containing the simplest borohydrides (BH 4 ) 1- and (MeBH 3 ) 1- can exhibit remarkably highly volatility, which creates unique hazards and handling challenges, especially when making measurements on solid samples under vacuum. Here we describe efforts to prepare new actinide borohydride complexes with attenuated volatility by adding bulkier benzyl (Bn) and cyclohexyl (Cy) substituents to boron. Reactions of ThCl 4 , UI 3 (thf) 4 , and NdI 3 with the mixed alkali metal salt Li/K(BnBH 3 )(thf) n yielded Th(BnBH 3 ) 4 (thf) 2 , U(BnBH 3 ) 4 (thf) 2 , and K[Nd(BnBH 3 ) 4 ], respectively. Notable amongst these, the reaction with UI 3 (thf) 4 proceeds via oxidation of U(III) to U(IV) despite the presence of reducing borohydride ligands. Similarly, reactions of the same metal halides with four equivalents of Li(CyBH 3 )(Et 2 O) n yielded Th(CyBH 3 ) 4 , U(CyBH 3 ) 4 (thf) 2 , and [Li(Et 2 O) 3 ][Nd(CyBH 3 ) 4 ]. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the M(BnBH 3 ) 4 (thf) 2 complexes with M = Th and U confirmed their formulations. Furthermore, the complexes have approximate D 2d point group symmetry and adopt bicapped hexagonal antiprismatic coordination geometries with axial thf ligands and κ 3 -BnBH 3 ligands bound in the equatorial plane. K[Nd(BnBH 3 ) 4 ] and [Li(Et 2 O) 3 ][Nd(CyBH 3 ) 4 ], which were prepared for comparison to U(III) complexes that were unsuccessfully targeted, were also structurally characterized to reveal complex anions with tetrahedral arrangements of trihydroborate ligands bound to Nd(III). Crystals obtained for Th(CyBH 3 ) 4 and U(CyBH 3 ) 4 (thf) 2 were not suitable for XRD studies, but 1 H and 11 B NMR spectra were consistent with their formulations. Collectively, these complexes represent rare examples of structurally characterized f-element trihydroborate complexes with carbon substituents other than methyl.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural and Bonding Analysis in Monomeric Actinide(IV) Oxalate from Th(IV) to Pu(IV): Comparison with the An(IV) Nitrate Series

In this work, single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD) structures and Raman spectra of a series of new isomorphous molecular An(IV)-oxalate compounds (Th, U, Np, and Pu) are reported. These complexes are crystallized with cobalt(III) hexamine ([Co(NH 3 ) 6 ] 3+ ) as the counter cations, [Co(NH 3 ) 6 ] 2 [An(C 2 O 4 ) 5 ]·4H 2 O, revealing five bidentate nonbridging oxalate ligands in the first coordination sphere (CN = 10). The nonbridging oxalate is rather uncommon for An(IV)-oxalate systems, which are widely characterized as polymeric compounds. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to examine the bonding between An(IV) cations and oxalate ligands. For comparison, we also report results obtained for the An(IV)-hexanitrate series, [(C 2 H 5 ) 4 N] 2 [An(NO 3 ) 6 ] (with An = Th, U, Np, Pu, and Ce), which consists of O-donor ligands as well but with a larger coordination number (CN = 12). The bonding analysis confirms that the actinide–oxygen bond is predominantly ionic with a minor increase in covalency from Th to U and slight variations from U to Pu. Further comparison showed that the charge transfer increases slightly when increasing the number of anions in the coordination sphere (C 2 O$_4^{2–}$: CN = 10; NO$_3^–$: CN = 12), but covalent effects as indicated by the amount of internuclear electron density accumulation are small and similar for oxalate and nitrate.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗