Local structure in zirconia-based nuclear fuels and transmutation targets
EMSL Project ID
19854
Abstract
A programme of work is proposed to understand local ordering in inert matrix nuclear fuels based on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). This information is unobtainable using diffraction techniques because of the similarity of scattering factors for Y and Zr in both x-ray and neutron diffraction. Samples will be prepared at the ITU in Karlsruhe and will be enriched in 17O for NMR analysis. The aim is to build on recent work on non–radioactive Pu proxies between the University of Cambridge and ITU Karlsruhe. This has shown that yttrium coordination changes upon doping with Ce. Additional 17O information will yield a view of anion and cation ordering throughout the material. Complementary Zr XAS measurements are being made to provide a thorough picture of local coordination and vacancy distributions. The radiological NMR facility at EMSL is the only place where this NMR work can be performed with no prospect of a European facility in the near future.17O enriched samples of actinide doped YSZ will be prepared and shipped to EMSL. They will have been pressed in dies to fit the triple containment rotors [developed by University of Cambridge and EMSL scientists] that are required for radiological magic-angle spinning NMR.
The nature of structural changes accompanying actinide substitution in YSZ will be investigated, and additionally, in the case of 241Am, the effect of gamma-self-radiation will be investigated over a long-term (>1 year) to see if significant structural change occurs that is invisible to diffraction techniques.
Project Details
Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2006-09-30
End Date
2008-11-24
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members