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Development of new high-temperature piezoelectric materials for in-core diagnostics and prognostics

EMSL Project ID
49131
Award DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.46936/cpcy.proj.2015.49131/60005837

Abstract

 We will develop new high-temperature sensor materials with adequate radiation damage resistance to acquire local diagnostic data in extreme environments. Improved capabilities for measuring prognostic indicators, such as nonlinear ultrasound (NLUS), require the signals to be generated from areas of interest, such as in-core. This necessitates high-temperature piezoelectric materials with high Curie temperatures and strong, stable piezoelectric responses over a large temperature range. Depending on the reactor design, temperatures in the range of 300?C to 1000?C may be required for these types of local sensors. Current sensors suffer from poor high temperature properties, poor radiation resistance, and/or a low piezoelectric response.
This research will develop new thin film, high-temperature piezoelectric materials that have high Curie temperatures (TC), above 1000?C if possible, and strong piezoelectric responses. By using thin films, the piezoelectric material volume is minimized, reducing the absorption of damaging radiation. We will focus on double perovskite La2Ti2O7, which exhibits a TC ~ 1500°C. The strength of the piezoelectric response will be increased through a unique doping scheme. A new piezoelectric thin-film material is expected from this project that will have superior thermal stability and applicability compared to existing materials. We will demonstrate the ability to synthesize these films directly on test specimens for advanced NLUS testing.

Project Details

Start Date
2015-10-14
End Date
2016-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
https://search.emsl.pnnl.gov/?project_id_search=49131

Team

Principal Investigator

Tiffany Kaspar
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Co-Investigator(s)

Charles Henager
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Pradeep Ramuhalli
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Related Publications

Kaspar TC, JG Gigax, L Shao, ME Bowden, T Varga, V Shutthanandan, SR Spurgeon, P Yan, C Wang, P Ramuhalli, and CH Henager, Jr. 2017. "Damage evolution of ion irradiated defected-fluorite La2Zr2O7 epitaxial thin films." Acta Materialia 130:111-120. doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2017.01.012
Kaspar TC, S Hong, ME Bowden, T Varga, P Yan, C Wang, SR Spurgeon, RB Comes, P Ramuhalli, and CH Henager, Jr. 2018. "Tuning piezoelectric properties through epitaxy of La2Ti2O7 and related thin films." Scientific Reports 8:Article No. 3037. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-21009-5