Nuclear energy is a key component of sustainable energy supplies, but its broader deployment is limited by challenges in managing spent fuel and high-level waste. Actinide oxides (Th, U, Pu), the primary nuclear fuel materials, are central to these issues, as radiation-induced defects generate excess electrons that shape their surface chemistry and reactivity. Using first-principles simulations, we show that electron localization differs across actinides, leading to distinct interactions with water and implications for corrosion. These findings highlight the critical role of electronic and structural defects in governing surface processes relevant to the long-term safety of nuclear fuels.
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