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Single crystals of ThO 2 exceeding 8 mm in length have been produced by hydrothermal synthesis in aqueous cesium fluoride solutions at 750 °C. Solubility studies have confirmed ThO 2 is congruently saturating in aqueous cesium fluoride with positive solubility with respect to temperature and increasing mineralizer concentration. Bulk transport growth of ThO 2 was performed to determine the viability of large-scale production of ThO 2 single crystals for possible nuclear fuel applications. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion properties of single crystal ThO 2 were measured and are reported here for the first time. The single crystal sample, in regard to nuclear fuel applications, showed improved thermal performance compared with previously reported polycrystalline values.

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