UF5

uranium pentafluoride · uranium(V) fluoride

Uranium pentafluoride is a stable, semiconducting compound of uranium and fluorine used in nuclear fuel research and chemical processing.

FU
Crystal structure of UF5
Ground-state structure · Materials Project
Overview

About uranium pentafluoride

Uranium pentafluoride is a binary fluoride of uranium that exhibits semiconducting electronic properties. As a thermodynamically stable phase located on the convex hull, it represents a significant chemical state for uranium in fluorine-rich environments. Its structural diversity is highlighted by numerous reported configurations across major materials databases, reflecting its complex behavior under varying conditions. This compound serves as a critical subject for understanding the chemistry of actinide fluorides, which are essential for advanced nuclear fuel processing and isotope separation technologies. Its stability and electronic nature make it a focal point for researchers investigating the fundamental interactions within the uranium-fluorine system.

At a glance

Key Properties

Cross-validated computational properties for uranium pentafluoride, aggregated across 3 databases.

Band Gap

0.09–0.39 eV
Range across DFT structures

Energy Above Hull

0.000 eV/atom
Best (lowest) across sources

Stability

On hull (stable)
2 DFT sources

Structures

17
3 databases, 5 space groups
Uses

Applications

Where uranium pentafluoride is used.

nuclear fuel cycle researchuranium isotope separationactinide chemistry studies
Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about uranium pentafluoride, answered from cross-validated data.

What is UF5?

Uranium pentafluoride is a stable, semiconducting compound of uranium and fluorine used in nuclear fuel research and chemical processing.

More questions
What is UF5 used for?
uranium pentafluoride (UF5) is used in nuclear fuel cycle research, uranium isotope separation, and actinide chemistry studies.
What is the band gap of UF5?
uranium pentafluoride (UF5) has a DFT-computed band gap of 0.09–0.39 eV across 17 reported structures.
Is UF5 a metal, semiconductor, or insulator?
With a band gap up to 0.39 eV it is a semiconductor.
Is UF5 thermodynamically stable?
Yes — uranium pentafluoride (UF5) sits on the convex hull (energy above hull 0 eV/atom), i.e. on hull (stable).
How many polymorphs of UF5 are known?
17 structures of UF5 are reported across 3 databases, spanning 5 distinct space groups.
What elements does UF5 contain?
uranium pentafluoride (UF5) contains F and U (2 elements).
Where does the data for UF5 come from?
UF5 data is cross-referenced from latticegraph.
Comparison

How It Compares

As a distinct binary fluoride, uranium pentafluoride occupies a unique position in actinide chemistry, serving as a vital intermediate in the transition between lower and higher oxidation states of uranium. Unlike more common uranium fluorides, this compound provides a specific electronic profile that is essential for specialized chemical synthesis and nuclear material characterization.

Data sources & attribution
  • latticegraph — Lattice Graph Materials Intelligence Platform

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