Abstract:
This study developed and validated 1k antiferromagnetic (AFM) model for large-scale UO
2 surface calculations, investigating O
2 and H
2O adsorption and dissociation mechanisms. We theoretically confirmed experimental observations of chemisorption states for both O
2 and H
2O on UO
2(111), and systematically revealed adsorption and dissociation pathways on UO
2(111) and (110) surfaces. Employing
ab-initio atomistic thermodynamics method, the adsorption thermodynamic phase diagrams under environmental conditions are constructed, demonstrating that O
2 monolayer adsorption originates from intermolecular electrostatic repulsion while H
2O multilayer adsorption arises from hydrogen bonding, leading to preferential H
2O adsorption and dissociation. H
2O dissociation introduces excess charges, promote subsequent O
2 adsorption in mixed environments. The adsorbed O
2 then facilitates OH dissociation, further reacting with H to form OH and O, ultimately establishing a water-oxygen cycle reaction mechanism: O
2+OH@UO
2 \rightarrow OH@UO
2+x. This work explains the reaction sequences observed in water-oxygen environments and provides key mechanistic insights into uranium oxidation corrosion.