Matrix isolation FTIR investigation of laser-ablated uranium oxide in argon and nitrogen matrices

Abstract

Uranium oxide was laser-ablated using the second harmonic of a Nd:YAG laser, and the products studied after trapping them in Ar and N2 matrices. The species obtained in the Ar matrix were UO, UO2 and UO3, which represent the primary products of laser ablation. Charge transfer complexes, (UO2+) (O2-) and (UO22+) (O22-) were also observed. In the N2 matrix, in addition to the primary ablation products, reaction products with nitrogen were also observed; the prominent among them being UN2 and NUO, together with their complexes with N2. Charge transfer complexes were also seen in these experiments. Features due to NO, N3 and N3- were identified, which clearly point to the role of nitrogen in these reactions.