Crystal Structure of AnO2 and Phase Transition at Higher Pressure: A Brief Review

Abstract

Actinide oxides (AnO2) are mostly explored nuclear fuel material in past few decades since changes in crystal structure of these materials inside nuclear reactor are harmful for reactors. To reduce the chances of accident in nuclear reactors, it is evident to understand the structure and variation in properties at higher pressure. In this review, we have briefly discussed the crystal structure and phase transition of AnO2 (An = Th, U, and Pu) at higher pressure. AnO2 is cubic (Fm-3m) at ambient condition but at higher pressure it changes to orthorhombic (Pnma) structure.