Speaker
Mr
Sean Barlow
(University of Sheffield)
Description
Ce3NbO7 weberite-type materials, an inactive analogue for Am3NbO7, have potential use in americium radioisotope thermoelectric generators to be developed by the European Space Agency for scientific missions beyond the orbit of Jupiter. Ceramics with greater than 97% purity were synthesised by thermal solid-state reaction and analytically characterised by X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, helium pycnometry, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The Magnetochemistry of the system was calculated with the Weiss temperature and magnetic moment per unit volume derived, in good agreement against the theoretical values. Reitveld refinement of neutron data was employed to identify the crystal structure of the novel cerium niobate and determine the correct orthorhombic space grouping from either Cmcm (No.63) or Pnma (No.62) space groups. Ce3NbO7 refined well under both systems indicating possible pseudosymmetry. Cerium in the +III oxidation state was observed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy confirming the chemical speciation within the structure.
Summary
Designing space batteries from UK reprocessed plutonium stockpiles.
Primary author
Mr
Sean Barlow
(University of Sheffield)
Co-authors
Dr
Emma McCabe
(University of Kent)
Dr
Martin Stennett
(University of Sheffield)
Prof.
Neil Hyatt
(The University of Sheffield)
Dr
Shi-Kuan Sun
(University of Sheffield)
