Emergent Materials under Extremes and Decisive In Situ Characterizations: Materials Characterization at Extreme Conditions
Sponsored by: ACerS Basic Science Division
Program Organizers: Hongwu Xu, Los Alamos National Laboratory; Xiaofeng Guo, Washington State University; Xujie Lu, Center for High Pressure Science & Technology Advanced Research; Hua Zhou, Argonne National Laboratory; Judith Driscoll, University of Cambridge
Wednesday 2:00 PM
October 20, 2021
Room: B244/245
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center
Session Chair: Hongwu Xu, Los Alamos National Laboratory; Xiaofeng Guo, Washington State University; Hua Zhou, Argonne National Laboratory
2:00 PM Invited
In-Situ Synchrotron X-ray Absorption Spectroscopic Investigations of Actinide Speciation under Hydrothermal Conditions: Robert Mayanovic1; Jason Baker2; Diwash Dhakal1; Nadib Akram1; Xiaofeng Guo3; Hakim Boukhalfa2; Cheng-Jun Sun4; Hongwu Xu2; 1Missouri State University; 2Los Alamos National Laboratory; 3Washington State University; 4Argonne National Laboratory
Investigations of actinide behavior in high P-T aqueous fluids are critical to addressing issues concerning high-level waste disposal, transport of uranium after nuclear accidents and development of accident-tolerant nuclear fuels. In-situ studies of actinide complexation in high P-T aqueous fluids containing ligands such as Cl- and CO32- are required for an accurate assessment of the solubility, stability and speciation of actinides in high P-T-γ (γ: radiation) extreme environments. Here we present our in-situ U L-III edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements of uranyl chloride and uranyl carbonate aqueous solutions using the hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC), at temperatures up to 500 °C. XAS spectral analysis reveals a trend toward charge neutral uranyl chloride complex species with increasing temperatures whereas uranyl carbonate complexes are found to be stable only to ~ 100 °C, in aqueous solutions. This is confirmed in our in-situ Raman measurements made on the same systems.
2:20 PM
In-situ Two-dimensional X-ray Diffraction (XRD2) Studies On High-temperature Phase Transformations of 2D Titanium Carbide (Ti3C2Tx) MXene: Brian Wyatt1; Srinivasa Kartik Nemani1; Bowen Zhang1; Babak Anasori1; 1Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute (INDI), IUPUI
2D transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) have gained more interest recently as additive materials for ultra-high temperature composite applications. However, there is a gap in fundamental understanding of MXenes’ phase stability in low oxygen high-temperature environments. In this study, we thoroughly explored the phase stability of Ti3C2Tx between 600 - 1000 ᵒC through the use of in-situ hot-stage x-ray diffraction studies equipped with a 2D detector (XRD2) under an Ar environment. Using these methods, we were able to gain fundamental understanding of Ti3C2Tx’s phase stability and characterize their structural transformations. We found that MXene films annealed at high temperatures transform to lamellar nano and micron-sized cubic grains of Ti2C and TiCy with ordered carbon vacancies with a strong morphological correlation to their synthesis protocol. This fundamental in-situ study of MXenes’ high temperature behavior can help pave the way for their use in ultra-high temperature composite applications.
2:40 PM Invited
Now On-Demand Only - Proton Irradiation Effects in Additively Manufactured 316L Stainless Steels: Cheng Sun1; Michael McMurtrey1; 1Idaho National Laboratory
Development of advanced nuclear structural materials that can withstand nuclear reactor environments is essential for the license extension of current nuclear reactors and the design of advanced reactors. Additive manufacturing (AM) could significantly reduce the time and cost required for the deployment of nuclear core components. Fundamental understanding of irradiation damage in additively manufactured materials enables the design of novel irradiation tolerant materials and the optimization of manufacturing process. In this presentation, we report proton irradiation-induced microstructural damage and irradiation-assisted stress corrosion cracking (IASCC) in 316L stainless steels (SSs) fabricated with direct energy deposition (DED), a laser-based AM process. Our studies show that the DED fabricated 316L SS exhibits stronger void-swelling resistance and reduced IASCC susceptibility compared to its wrought counterpart. The design of microstructure using AM process opens up new avenues for the development of irradiation and corrosion tolerant materials.
3:00 PM
Temperature Measurements in Radiation Environments Using Piezoelectric Surface Acoustic Wave Resonators: Maha Yazbeck1; Ryan Chesser1; Yuzhou Wang2; Marat Khafizov1; 1The Ohio State University; 2Idaho National Lab
Piezoelectric surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices are finding unique usage in radio-frequency applications. Recently, an interest in SAW resonators as passive wireless sensors for extreme environments have emerged. We demonstrate the application of lithium niobate (LiNbO3) and aluminum nitride (AlN) based devices to measure temperature when bombarded by energetic gamma particles and neutrons, present inside a nuclear fission reactor. Resonant frequency of platinum interdigitated transducer devices responds to nuclear reactor power. Initial analysis suggests that the temperature increase caused by gamma heating is the primary reason for observed changes, as the frequency shifts closely follow the temperature profile within the irradiation capsule measured using K-type thermocouple. Both LiNbO3 and AlN devices remained functional over the duration of irradiation. These results suggest that devices based on these piezoelectric materials offer an alternative mean for temperature measurement in radiation environments.