A special feature of uranyl nitrate is its solubility in tributyl phosphate (PO(OC4H9)3), which allows uranium to be extracted from the nitric acid solution.

[citation needed] During the first half of the 19th century, many photosensitive metal salts had been identified as candidates for photographic processes, among them uranyl nitrate.

The first uranium printing processes were invented by Scotsman J. Charles Burnett between 1855 and 1857, and used this compound as the sensitive salt.

Uranium papers were manufactured commercially at least until the end of the 19th century, vanishing due to the superior sensitivity and practical advantages of silver halides.

[citation needed] Along with uranyl acetate it is used as a negative stain for viruses in electron microscopy; in tissue samples it stabilizes nucleic acids and cell membranes.

It also represents a severe fire and explosion risk when heated or subjected to shock in contact with oxidizable substances.