Scholarlink

<p>For many years, zirconium oxide (zirconia, ZrO<sub>2</sub>) has been regarded as a promising material for inert matrix fuel (IMF) in nuclear applications due to its low neutron absorption cross section, high chemical and thermal stability, and elevated melting point. This study characterizes the thermal properties&#xa0;—&#xa0;specifically the thermal expansion coefficient, specific heat and thermal conductivity&#xa0;—&#xa0;of zirconia-based ceramics doped with neodymium and/or cerium oxide as minor actinide surrogates. Samples were synthesized using two techniques: a wet synthesis via the Complex Sol-Gel Process (CSGP) and a dry Mechanical Alloying&#xa0;(MA) method in a planetary ball mill under an argon atmosphere. Consolidation of the doped zirconia powders was performed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). Thermal analysis (TG-DSC, Dilatometry, Laser Flash), SEM imaging, and XRD were used to assess the microstructure, phase composition, and thermal behavior of the materials. Results reveal detailed insights into the influence of synthesis method and dopants on thermal characteristics, indicating that Ce and Nd incorporation as actinide surrogates decreases thermal conductivity and increases expansion. Such issues are essential for designing zirconia-based ceramics with controlled thermal properties for nuclear applications.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Microstructural characterization and thermal analysis of sintered Ce/Nd doped zirconia ceramics for nuclear applications

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月28日

查看全文
  • Marcin Brykała,
  • Kinga Suchorab,
  • Agnieszka Malinowska,
  • Michał A. Stróżyk,
  • Wojciech Chmurzyński,
  • Katarzyna Ciporska,
  • Piotr Blyskun,
  • Konrad Krzyżak,
  • Krystian Kowiorski,
  • Marcin Chmielewski

摘要

For many years, zirconium oxide (zirconia, ZrO2) has been regarded as a promising material for inert matrix fuel (IMF) in nuclear applications due to its low neutron absorption cross section, high chemical and thermal stability, and elevated melting point. This study characterizes the thermal properties — specifically the thermal expansion coefficient, specific heat and thermal conductivity — of zirconia-based ceramics doped with neodymium and/or cerium oxide as minor actinide surrogates. Samples were synthesized using two techniques: a wet synthesis via the Complex Sol-Gel Process (CSGP) and a dry Mechanical Alloying (MA) method in a planetary ball mill under an argon atmosphere. Consolidation of the doped zirconia powders was performed by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). Thermal analysis (TG-DSC, Dilatometry, Laser Flash), SEM imaging, and XRD were used to assess the microstructure, phase composition, and thermal behavior of the materials. Results reveal detailed insights into the influence of synthesis method and dopants on thermal characteristics, indicating that Ce and Nd incorporation as actinide surrogates decreases thermal conductivity and increases expansion. Such issues are essential for designing zirconia-based ceramics with controlled thermal properties for nuclear applications.