Morphological and mechanical evolution of nanostructured ZrN thin films under 165 keV argon ions irradiation

Naceri, S. E.; Izerrouken, M.; Ghamnia, M.; Saoula, Nadia; Haïd, F.; Sari, A.

doi:10.1016/j.pnucene.2021.104048

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…At the same time, ceramics have been proposed to replace the zirconium alloys commonly used as cladding materials in pressurized water reactors to make them more accident tolerant. − In an accident scenario, the ceramics would be exposed to high temperatures, water, and large radiation fields. Studies of the irradiation effects on ceramics have mainly focused on structural consequences rather than surface effects, − although the surface chemistry has more immediate effects in an accident scenario. This work examines the radiation-induced chemistry at the interface of water with silicon nitride, Si 3 N 4 , as well as zirconium carbide, ZrC, and zirconium nitride, ZrN.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silicon and Zirconium Ceramics Radiolysis in the Presence of Water

2023

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Ceramic materials display several desirable characteristics for nuclear energy applications, and thus, understanding how they behave in a radiation field, particularly in accident scenarios, is necessary for their successful implementation. This work investigates the role of interfacial water on radiolytic processes occurring at the surface of silicon and zirconium carbides and nitrides. Modification of the surfaces and the effect of those surfaces on H 2 production are investigated. All studied materials were found to have a layer of oxidation on the surface, and this oxidation layer affects H 2 production. Radiolysis up to doses of 50 MGy was not found to affect the bulk material, and very few changes to the surface were observed. The amount of H 2 produced during irradiation correlated with the amount of water adsorbed by the ceramics, and the importance of the ceramic surface decreased as the water fraction increased. The exact nature of the surface of these ceramics is therefore incredibly important when assessing the effects of radiation in accident scenarios.

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