Experts at Nottingham University are the first to create a stable version of a ’trophy molecule’ that has eluded scientists for decades. The breakthrough could have future implications for the nuclear energy industry – uranium nitride materials may potentially offer a viable alternative to the current mixed oxide nuclear fuels used in reactors.
A team of chemists at Nottingham has shown that they can prepare a terminal uranium nitride compound which is stable at room temperature and can be stored in jars in crystallised or powder form.
Previous attempts to prepare uranium-nitrogen triple bonds have required temperatures as low as 5 Kelvin (-268 °C) – roughly the equivalent temperature of interstellar space – and have therefore been difficult to work with and manipulate, requiring specialist equipment and techniques.
The breakthrough could have future implications for the nuclear energy industry – uranium nitride materials may potentially offer a viable alternative to the current mixed oxide nuclear fuels used in reactors.
The research has been led by Dr Stephen Liddle in the School of Chemistry and much of the practical work was completed by PhD student David King. The work was also supported by colleagues at the University of Manchester.