The Kinetics of O2 Reduction Studies on Hyperstoichiometric UO2.002 Electrode

Abstract

The cathodic reduction of O₂ is one of the major reactions involved in nuclear fuel corrosion under permanent waste disposal conditions. The kinetics of this reaction have been studied in dilute alkaline aqueous solution on a slightly hyperstoichiometric UO_2.002 electrode using rotating disc techniques. Overall, a four electron reduction to OH^- with a reaction order of one with respect to O₂ has been observed under these conditions. However once blockage of active sites occurs by adsorption or surface oxidation, the O₂ reduction reaction may deviate from the four-electron process.