JRP 05-19

Partners

EC-JRC-ITU

Contact

Dr. R.J.M. Konings
European Commission - Joint Research Centre - Institute for Transuranium Elements - P.O. Box 2340 - 76125 Karlsruhe - Germany
E-mail e-mail

Chemistry of americium and curium oxides in the gas phase

Status

 
Terminated - Planned from August 2006 till February 2008

Goals

The aim of this joint research project is to study the stability of the gaseous americium oxides AmO2 and AmO, by means of experimental and theoretical techniques. Besides, theoretical calculations will also be performed for the CmO molecule.

The experiments will provide information about bonding energy, whereas the calculations will reveal structural, vibration and electronic properties of the molecules, from which thermodynamic functions (heat capacity, entropy) can be calculated.

Combining all results will enable us to:

  • obtain a reliable thermodynamic description of the above gaseous species;
  • verify the systematics in the dissociation energies of the actinide monoxides.

Expected results

This joint research project will generate essential information for the description of the behaviour of complex fuel or target materials at high temperatures. It also contributes to the study of the stability of transmutation fuels and the vaporisation of americium, which is a key issue in the design- and safety analysis of transmutation fuels.

Reports