The Structure of the Plutonium Oxide Nanocluster [Pu₃₈O₅₆Cl₅₄(H₂O)₈]¹⁴⁻

Abstract

Oxide inside: The structure of a plutonium(IV) oxide nanoparticle (see picture; Pu green, O red and blue, Cl yellow) has been determined by single-crystal diffraction in the solid state and verified in aqueous solution by high-energy X-ray scattering. The nanoparticles are composed of 38 Pu ions arranged in an oxide lattice with a structure slightly distorted from the fluorite phase seen in PuO2. An absorption spectrum of the Pu clusters in solution is consistent with the classic Pu-polymer optical response.