| AVS 58th Annual International Symposium and Exhibition | |
| Actinides and Rare Earths Focus Topic | Thursday Sessions |
| Session AC+TF-ThA |
| Session: | The Structure, Properties and Chemistry of Thin Films of Actinides and Rare Earths |
| Presenter: | Ernest Wylie, University of Notre Dame |
| Authors: | E.M. Wylie, University of Notre Dame P.C. Burns, University of Notre Dame |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Uranyl sulfate minerals have been studied for several decades owing to their importance in understanding ore genesis, as well as the interaction of uranium mine and mill workings with the environment. In contrast, no uranyl selenate minerals have been described, although several uranyl selenites are known. We are exploring the crystal chemistry of synthetic uranyl selenates produced under mild hydrothermal techniques. We have obtained crystals of several compounds and characterized them with single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They contain a sheet of edge-sharing uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and selenate tetrahedra that is topologically identical to those found in the zippeite group of uranyl sulfate minerals. These synthetic materials provide further insights into layered uranyl phases, including the relationships between the configurations of the structural sheets and their corresponding interlayer complexes. These structures will be placed in the context of known synthetic and natural uranyl sulfate and selenate compounds.