About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Metallic Fuels - Design, Fabrication, and Characterization
|
| Presentation Title |
Investigating the structural and chemical properties in the oxidation of U-Th MOx fuel |
| Author(s) |
Florence Legg |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Florence Legg |
| Abstract Scope |
The use of MOx fuel types as alternatives to UO2 is currently gaining interest across the nuclear industry. The use of MOx provides several industrial benefits, such as improved non-proliferation, a diversification of the nuclear fuel supply and when thorium is utilized, improved fuel stability. In this work, we investigate the oxidation of (UxTh1-x)O2 thin-films. Oxidation experiments were carried out at the ESRF on the XMaS beamline, using a series of epitaxial thin-films. Structural changes were measured using high resolution 2D XRD, and chemical changes measured using XANES, with both techniques conducted in-situ. These methods allowed us to correlate the structural transformation to the valence state of uranium. The results suggest that approximately 10% thorium in the lattice can significantly inhibit the oxidation of UO2. The findings of this study aim to contribute to the advancement of research into the use of U-Th MOx in the nuclear fuel cycle. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Thin Films and Interfaces, Nuclear Materials, Phase Transformations |