Abstract
The changes of weight gain, structure, morphology and uranium oxidation states in l0wt% G $d_2$ $O_3$-doped U $O_2$ during the oxidation below 475$^{\circ}C$ and heat treatment at 130$0^{\circ}C$ in air were investigated using TGA, XRD, SEM, EPMA and XPS. The room temperature ( $U_{0.86}$G $d_{0.14}$) $O_2$Cubic Phase Converted to highly distorted ( $U_{0.86}$G $d_{0.14}$)$_3$ $O_{8}$ -type sing1e Phase by oxidation at 475 $^{\circ}C$ in air. This oxidized phase was reduced by annealing at 130$0^{\circ}C$ in air. The room temperature XRD pattern of the 130$0^{\circ}C$ annealed powder revealed that ( $U_{0.86}$G $d_{0.14}$)$_3$ $O_{8}$ -type single phase was separated into Gd-depleted $U_3$ $O_{8}$ and Gd-enriched ( $U_{0.7}$G $d_{0.3}$) $O_2$$_{+x}$ type cubic phase. The reduction and phase separation by the high temperature annealing of kinetically metastable and highly deformed ( $U_{0.86}$G $d_{0.14}$)$_3$ $O_{8}$ -type phase are interpreted in terms of cation size difference between G $d^3$$^{+}$ and U according to the oxidation state of U.U.U.U.U.te of U.U.U.U.U.