B. M. Vilakazi, O. S. Monnahela, J. B. Wagener
Sep 1, 2012
Citations
0
Influential Citations
10
Citations
Journal
Journal of Fluorine Chemistry
Abstract
Abstract Zircon mineral contains about 1–3% hafnium which is an undesirable impurity in the nuclear industry. A novel dry fluorination route was investigated to produce ZrF 4 as a possible intermediate for the production of nuclear grade zirconium metal. The process was investigated by the reaction of pure ZrO 2 and HfO 2 with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride using a thermogravimetric analyzer. The findings indicate successful formation of ZrF 4 , HfF 4 , and oxyfluorides identified with X-ray powder diffraction. According to the TGA experiments, the stoichiometric formation of ZrF 4 was realized at 525 °C whilst that for HfF 4 was not attained.