Synthesis of transuranium-based nanocrystals via the thermal decomposition of actinyl nitrates

In this communication, we report on the use of easily accessible actinide precursors to synthesize actinide oxide nanocrystals. Uranyl and neptunyl nitrates have been successfully used as starting materials in the non-aqueous synthesis of AnO2 (An = U, Np) nanocrystals. This communication reports for the first time on the formation of transuranium-based nanocrystals.