Evolution of the Uranium Chemical State in Mixed-Valence Oxides

A fundamental question concerning the chemical state of uranium in the binary oxides UO2, U4O9, U3O7, U3O8 and UO3 is addressed. By utilizing high energy resolution fluorescence detection X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (HERFD-XANES) at the uranium M4 edge, a novel technique in the tender X-ray region, we obtain the distribution of formal oxidation states in the mixed valence oxides U4O9, U3O7 and U3O8. Moreover, we clearly identify a pivot from U(IV)-U(V) to U(V)-U(VI) charge compensation, corresponding with transition from a fluorite-type structure (U3O7) to a layered structure (U3O8). Such physicochemical properties are of interest to a broad audience of researchers and engineers active in domains ranging from fundamental physics, to nuclear industry and environmental science.