The surface structure of triuranium octaoxide(U 3O 8) and the influence of carbon monoxide on the surface layer of U 3O 8 have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). As a mixed-valence compound
U 3O 8 was found to have a surface structure compatible with the general formula U 2 Ⅵ U n-2 Ⅳ O 2n+2 . After exposure of U 3O 8 to 7.2×10 6 L CO
the content of oxygen in the oxide decreased and O/U ratio decreased by 8.0%
and amount of uranium trioxide in U 3O 8 was decreased by 16.6%. The investigation indicated that the surface of triuranium octaoxide was reduced to some extent in the atmosphere of carbon monoxide.