Studies on the synthesis and characterization of nano crystalline Gd2O3 (5 wt.%) doped UO2 solid solutions

Solid solutions of Gd2O3 (5 wt.%) doped UO2 were synthesized by citrate combustion synthesis with varying fuel to oxidant ratios. The combustion products were calcined and hydrogen reduced. Powder properties like phase purity, crystallite size, surface area, particle size, density, and carbon content were measured. Combustion of 0.75 ratio was voluminous, yielded low bulk density and unimodal sized particles. Morphology and microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Nanocrystalline single-phase fluorite solid solution with crystallites around 80 – 100 nm was obtained. The systematic investigation on synthesis and characterization of Gd2O3 (5 wt.%) doped UO2 powders are reported for the first time.