Redox-mediated formation of plutonium oxide nanoparticles

Precipitates formed by the neutralisation of Pu(III), Pu(IV), Pu(V), and Pu(VI) solutions were characterised by HRTEM, SAXS, and XRD in the suspensions. PuO2 nanoparticles uniform in size (typical diameter around 2.5 nm) and phase composition were observed in all cases under equilibrium conditions. For Pu(VI), the precipitation reactions proceed via an intermediate product.