In-situ Raman observation of the first step of uranium dioxide weathering exposed to water radiolysis

The effect of irradiation is a key point in the knowledge of the behavior of some compounds such as uranium-based ones. Regarding this topic, the authors developed an original in-situ Raman spectroscopy device coupled to a cyclotron ion beam. This original instrument allows observing the kinetics of uranium dioxide weathering by α radiolysis of water. The authors then observed that an altered layer made of Studtite and Schoepite phases grows linearly during the irradiation and extends for several hours after irradiation. Kinetics of production of some molecular species during radiolysis were also reported.