Atomistic Mechanisms of Radiation Interaction with Nanostructured Ceramics
EMSL Project ID
42305
Abstract
This EMSL user proposal aims to elucidate atomistic mechanisms of radiation interaction at the nanoscale in order to achieve a scientific understanding of the synergistic effects of temperature and radiation on the stability and evolution of nanostructured materials. The materials systems under investigation include ZrO2, TiO2, spinel, carbide and nitride which display important technological applications as nuclear engineering materials for advanced fuel cycles and effective waste management. Based on the start-of-the-art experimental and computation capabilities at EMSL, this research aims at a scientific understanding of the atomistic mechanisms and defect behaviors of nanostructured oxides under high temperature and intense radiation conditions. The key scientific issues will be addressed including: (1) Will nanostructures intrinsically radiation tolerant and how different length scales varying from micro- to nano-meters affect the radiation response of materials? (2) How nanostructures evolve upon intense radiation? (3) What are the damage mechanisms and defect behaviors of nanostructured materials? (4) Can a predictive model be developed in describing the correlation among the composition and microstructure, structural evolution, phase stability, thermodynamic properties and defect energetics?
Experimentally, we will synergize: (1) energetic particle beam techniques for investigating radiation interactions with nanostructured ceramics; (2) state-of-the-art characterization techniques including Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffractions high resolution TEM and aberration correction TEM for characterizing structural evolution and defect behavior; (3) unique combination of ion beam analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy and helium ion microscopy to systematically investigate radiation effects and damage mechanisms in nanostructured materials. The experimental results are further complemented by first principles calculations based on density function theory (DFT) utilized computer clusters or supercomputer at EMAL in order to understand how defect energetics and electronic structure affect response of nanostructured materials upon thermal annealing and irradiation.
This research builds on extensive experience of PIs and team members on extensive experience and expertise in studying radiation effects, microstructure characterization by advanced TEM technique, ion beam analysis for damage mechanisms and computer simulation for defect energetics and electronic structure. The EMSL facilities provide an unprecedented opportunity for performing the cutting-edge science in the atomic-level understanding of radiation interactions with nanostructured materials, which is crucial for developing advanced nuclear materials that can withstand extreme radiation environments in reactors, accelerators, and even geologic repositories. The results of the proposed research will provide critical data and fundamental understanding to validate computational predictions of materials behavior under extreme radiation conditions. The techniques and knowledge developed will be applicable to many other systems, including those with actinides. The fundamental knowledge may also enable new strategies for materials design at the nanoscale in order to extend the performance of materials so that they will have excellent radiation resistance and desirable thermal properties, chemical durability and mechanical stability as required by advanced nuclear energy systems.
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2010-10-01
End Date
2011-10-03
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Wang G, X Sun, F Lu, H Sun, M Yu, W Jiang, C Liu, and J Lian. 2012. "Flexible Pillared Graphene-Paper Electrodes for High-Performance Electrochemical Supercapacitors." Small 8(3):452-459. doi:10.1002/smll.201101719