Uranyl sulfate

Yellow solid

Fixed

• 5.24 g · cm -3 ( 18 ° C)
• 3.28 g · cm -3 ( trihydrate)

Slightly soluble in water

Risk

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Uranyl sulfate is a yellow, crystalline solid and a uranyl salt of sulfuric acid with the chemical formula (UO2 ) SO4.

Occurrence

Uranyl sulfate comes as such does not exist in nature. In the weathering zone of uranium ores secondary Uranylminerale occur which crystallize as sulfates, for example Uranopilite ( ( UO2) 6SO4O2 (OH) 6 • 14 H2O).

Production and representation

Uranyl sulphate can be obtained by reaction with sulfuric acid and oxygen from uranium ores (uranium (V, VI) oxide, uranium ( IV) oxide ).

If occurrence ferrous sulfides such as iron (II ) sulfide and iron (II) -disulfide in uranium ores, no sulfuric acid is added, as is formed in accordance with the selected temperature sulfuric acid; thus formed serving as the starting material, iron ( III) sulfate.

Physical Properties

Uranyl sulphate trihydrate and his are yellow solids. Uranyl sulfate decomposes when it is heated to about 749.85 ° C. The trihydrate crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbnm.

Use

In the recovery of uranium ores is produced during the manufacture of yellowcake depending on the applied process chain, among other uranyl sulfate.

Safety

All uranium compounds are toxic and radioactive. As low alpha emitters inclusion in the body should be avoided.