| Abstract Scope |
One factor in the expansion of nuclear energy is the handling of nuclear waste. Many studies have examined the stability of model nuclear waste forms, such as pyrochlores, under irradiation scenarios, focused on aspects such as disordering and amorphization transformations. However, less attention has been given to the kinetics that govern the evolution of radiation-induced damage. In this work, we have examined the kinetics in these materials through a combination of modeling, particularly accelerated molecular dynamics, and experiment, using AC impedance spectroscopy to examine transport in irradiated pyrochlore. We find a strong relationship between the cation state in the material and the transport of species. Further, there is a dynamic relationship between these, with disorder inducing cation migration which further induces reordering of the structure. These results provide new insight into the long-term evolution of these materials. |