The oxidation dissolution of uranium oxides in carbonate-peroxide aqueous solution

The dissolution behaviors of uranium oxides (UO2, U3O8, and UO2(O2)·4H2O) and the dissolved species of uranium in the carbonate-peroxide solution were investigated by UV–vis absorption spectrometry and interpreted by a theoretically calculated spectrum. The results indicate that the same dominant species (UO2(O2)(CO3)24−) in the solution was observed in spite of the differences among the three uranium oxides. Additionally, the dissolution of UO2(O2)·4H2O was found to be occurring much more rapidly in carbonate solution than those of UO2 and U3O8. The concentration of dissolved uranium for UO2(O2)·4H2O in the carbonate-peroxide solution could reach about 300 g/L.