THE FORMATION OF URANIUM SESQUINITRIDE BY REACTIONS OF U OR UH3 WITH A N-2-H-2 MIXTURE

The reaction of massive uranium with a mixture of N-2 and H-2 (N-2/H-2 = 1:3), and that of UH3 with a mixture of N-2 and H-2, have been carr ied out at 300 degrees C. It was found that although the reaction of U with N-2 does not proceed at 300 degrees C, the use of a mixture of N -2 and H-2 leads to the formation of uranium sesquinitride at this tem perature. Furthermore, NH3 is formed by the above two reactions at 300 degrees C. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.