Hydrogen uranyl arsenate hydrate single crystals: H2(UO2) 2(AsO4) +8 H2o. gel growth and characterization.

Abstract

Single crystals of hydrogen uranyl arsenate hydrate (HUAsH) were grown in tetramethoxysilane gels at different temperatures, below and above the paraelastic—ferroelastic transition temperature, T0. The crystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction, chemical etching, scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. The habit of the gel grown crystals allowed the three-dimensional features ofthe domain structure to be studied for the first time. A correlation was made between crystal perfection, domain structure and growth history.