The local uranium environment in cesium uranates: A combined XPS, XAS, XRD, and neutron diffraction analysis

The cesium uranates Cs₂UO₄, Cs₂U₂O₇, Cs₄U₅O₁₇ and Cs₂U₄O₁₂ were studied using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), neutron diffraction, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) in an attempt to couple the crystallographic structure to the uranium valence state using the local uranium environment. The diffraction spectra were used for Rietveld refinement to determine the atomic positions and interatomic distances. These distances were subsequently used in Bond Valence Sum (BVS) calculations to determine the uranium valences. The XAS spectra give direct information on the local uranium environment regarding the U-O distances and the arrangement of the oxygen atoms around the central uranium. The difference between the monovalent uranates and the multivalent Cs₂U₄O₁₂ is clearly established in all spectra, as well as in the crystal structures. The different valences present can be assigned to individual uranium lattice sites, but some amount of disorder is required to balance the charges.