Pu2O3 and the plutonium hydriding process

The role of cubic Pu2O3 in the corrosion of PuO2-coated Pu by H2 was investigated. Experiments were conducted to demonstrate that nucleation of hydriding is promoted by formation of Pu2O3 sites in the oxide layer. The nucleation mechanism based on diffusion of hydrogen through the PuO2 layer was evaluated and an alternative mechanism based on formation of catalytic Pu2O3 sites via the Pu–PuO2 reaction is proposed. The possibility of active participation of other impurities and inclusions in the dioxide is also discussed.