Synthesis of Thorium Dioxide Nanocrystals by Pyrolysis of a Thorium-based Metal-organic Framework

Graphical This is a new method of producing nuclear material. ThO 2 NPs are synthesized by pyrolysis of an undiscovered thorium-based MOF. The MOF-derived ThO 2 NPs can easily be sintered to form ThO 2 ceramics. (Twitter: @yuting0437) A new method is demonstrated for synthesizing thorium dioxide (ThO 2 ) nanoparticles (NPs) by thermal decomposition of an undiscovered thorium-based metal-organic framework (MOF). Upon heating at 520 °C, the thorium-based MOF crystals, designated Th-MTB, are converted completely to ThO 2 NPs with an average size of 150 nm. The MOF-derived ThO 2 NPs are easily sintered to form ThO 2 ceramics which have good thermal conductivity. The crystalline grains of ThO 2 grow continuously during sintering.The method for the synthesis of ThO 2 NPs could have potential applications in the production of nuclear materials.