Preparation and characterization of the Na4UO2(O2)3·8H2O complex

The Na4UO2(O2)3·8H2O complex was prepared from aqueous systems and its crystallographic and chemical structural conformation characterized. IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used for analyzing the solid crystal extracted with ethanol to determine the anionic compositon. Composition of the solid phase did not depend on the molar ratio of the reactants or on the pH of the medium, but only upon the absolute concentrations of uranium and alkali. It was observed that the temperature significantly influenced the crystal structure of the product and that a limit to the UO2 concentration existed for inducing the production of a mixture of soluble and insoluble species.