Preparation of uranium carbide through carbothermic reduction of uranium dioxide.

Abstract: The project started with a preparatory literature study and thermodynamic consid- erations. The main purpose was to synthesise uranium carbide through carbothermic reduction. The synthesis method was developed through a serie of experiments. Ele- mental analysis for carbon, oxygen and nitrogen was performed on the product and modifcations were made to the method based on the results in the analysis. In addition, XRD was performed to complement the elemental analysis and obtain in- formation about the structure and phases present in the product. The purest product contained 1.9 wt. % oxygen, 1.3 wt. % nitrogen and 5.2 wt. % carbon. The stoi- chiometric composition of the product was UC1.1 O0.3 N0.2. The conclusion is that in order to obtain a pure carbide it is important to ensure good mixing of reactants and minimise potential contamination.