Crystal chemical studies of the 5<i>f</i>-series of elements. VIII. Crystal structure studies of uranium silicides and of CeSi₂, NpSi₂, and PuSi₂

Abstract

Crystal structures are deduced for the compounds α-USi2, NpSi2, PuSi2, CeSi2, β-USi2, USi, U3Si2 and U3Si. Each silicon atom forms three covalent bonds with other silicon atoms in the disilicides, two such covalent bonds in USi, one in U3Si2 and none in U3Si. The various crystal structures and observed interatomic distances are discussed in some detail.