Preparation of Uranium Phosphide from Uranium Tetrafluoride

Abstract

A study was made on UP preparation by two-step reactions starting with UF₄, Si and red phosphorus.
The first step was to produce an intermediate uranium phosphide U₃P₄ from the reaction of UF₄ with Si under phosphorus vapor at temperatures above 900°C.
In the second step, the intermediate phosphide was heat treated under vacuum. To obtain single phase UP from the intermediate phosphide, the treatment required a temperature above 1, 050°C, at which temperature the minimum holding time was 60min.