Publication
Title
Atomic scale analysis of defect clustering and predictions of their concentrations in
Author
Abstract
The physical properties of uranium dioxide vary greatly with stoichiometry. Oxidation towards hyperstoichiometric UO2 − UO2+x – might be encountered at various stages of the nuclear fuel cycle if oxidative conditions are met; the impact of stoichiometry changes upon physical properties should therefore be properly assessed to ensure safe and reliable operations. These physical properties are intimately linked to the arrangement of atomic defects in the crystalline structure. The evolution of the defect concentration with environmental parameters – oxygen partial pressure and temperature – were evaluated by means of a point defect model where the reaction energies are derived from atomic-scale simulations. To this end, various configurations and net charge states of oxygen interstitial clusters in UO2 have been calculated. Various methodologies have been tested to determine the optimum cluster configurations and a rigid lattice approach turned out to be the most useful strategy to optimize defect configuration structures. Ultimately, results from the point defect model were discussed and compared to experimental measurements of stoichiometry dependence on oxygen partial pressure and temperature.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of nuclear materials. - Amsterdam, 1959, currens
Publication
Amsterdam : North Holland , 2020
ISSN
0022-3115
DOI
10.1016/J.JNUCMAT.2020.152403
Volume/pages
541 (2020) , 9 p.
Article Reference
152403
ISI
000575165800006
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 26.10.2020
Last edited 07.12.2024
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