Ammonium diuranate

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Ammonium diuranate (ADU) is an intermediate chemical used in making uranium oxide (yellowcake). Its formula is (NH4)2U2O7. ADU forms when ammonium hydroxide is added to a uranium-containing solution after the uranium is extracted (often with solvents using tertiary amines in kerosene). The precipitated solid is thickened, centrifuged, and then calcined to produce uranium oxide. In Canada, uranium oxide is commonly produced from ADU rather than from uranyl nitrate. ADU has also been used historically in colored glazes for ceramics, but when fired it decomposes to uranium oxide, making it a cheaper substitute for higher-purity oxide.