Preparation of UH3 by the reaction of U with NH3 or with a mixture of H2 and N2

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0925-8388(94)90957-1

To examine how a high nitrogen activity and high hydrogen activity can be obtained by keeping the extent of dissociation of NH₃ below its dissociation equilibrium, reactions of U with static NH₃ were carried out at 250 °C. The formation of N-rich U₂N_3+x, and that of UH₃ are discussed from a thermodynamic point of view. The experimental results suggest, however, that the formation of UH₃ must be ascribed to a much lower activation energy for its formation.