11 Facts About Uranium dioxide

Uranium dioxide is produced by reducing uranium trioxide with hydrogen.

Uranium dioxide is oxidized in contact with oxygen to the triuranium octaoxide.

Electrochemistry of uranium dioxide has been investigated in detail as the galvanic corrosion of uranium dioxide controls the rate at which used nuclear fuel dissolves.

Uranium dioxide is carbonized in contact with carbon, forming uranium carbide and carbon monoxide.

Uranium dioxide oxide was used to color glass and ceramics prior to World War II, and until the applications of radioactivity were discovered this was its main use.

Uranium dioxide glass is pale green to yellow and often has strong fluorescent properties.

In earlier times, uranium dioxide was used as heat conductor for current limitation, which was the first use of its semiconductor properties.

Band gap of uranium dioxide is comparable to those of silicon and gallium arsenide, near the optimum for efficiency vs band gap curve for absorption of solar radiation, suggesting its possible use for very efficient solar cells based on Schottky diode structure; it absorbs at five different wavelengths, including infrared, further enhancing its efficiency.

Uranium dioxide, like U3O8, is a ceramic material capable of withstanding high temperatures, making it suitable for high-temperature applications like thermophotovoltaic devices.

Uranium dioxide is resistant to radiation damage, making it useful for rad-hard devices for special military and aerospace applications.

Uranium dioxide is known to be absorbed by phagocytosis in the lungs.