Development of CRM 125-A UO2 as an
Oxygen Stable Isotope Standard Reference Material

Year
2023
Author(s)
Erik J. Oerter - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Michael J. Singleton - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Eric Pili - CEA, DAM, DIF & Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS
Michael R. Klosterman - Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Program, University of Utah, Salt Lake City & Los Alamos National Laboratory
Aldo Shemesh - Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science
Pierre Agrinier - Université Paris Cité, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, CNRS
Amanda Deinhart - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Ruth Yam - Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science
Maor Assulin - Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science & Analytical Chemistry Department, Nuclear Research Center Negev
Eyal Elish - Analytical Chemistry Department, Nuclear Research Center Negev
Luther McDonald - University of Utah
Travis J Tenner - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Ruth Kips - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
File Attachment
finalpaper_250_0511095519.pdf997.41 KB
Abstract
The oxygen stable isotope composition of uranium oxides is emerging as a potentially powerful forensic tracer of nuclear fuel cycle materials. Stable isotope analytical techniques rely on the use of matrix-matched materials with well constrained and community established stable isotope compositions to calibrate analyses of samples. However, there are not any currently available standardized reference materials for the oxygen stable isotopic composition of uranium oxides. We collected the results of oxygen stable isotope analyses of CRM 125-A UO2 Standard Reference Material from four laboratories by seven different methods. Synthesis of these data allows us to arrive at a consensus oxygen stable isotope composition for CRM 125-A δ18O = -9.63‰ (± 0.29‰) VSMOW. Contrasting analytical approaches allow us to evaluate methodological differences in fluorination agents (BrF5 and ClF3), heating techniques (furnace and laser heating), and calibration strategies. We propose ways forward in the use of oxygen stable isotope compositions of nuclear materials as forensic tools.