High temperature behaviour of fission product analogues implanted into nuclear ceramics

• Published in: Vacuum Vol. 70; no. 2-3; pp. 123 - 129
• Main Authors: Gentils, A., Thomé, L., Jagielski, J., Enescu, S.E., Garrido, F., Beauvy, M., Blaise, G.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 10.03.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Ceramics; Exact sciences and technology; Fission products; Ion beams; Pollution; Radioactive wastes; Retention; Spinel; Wastes; Zirconia; Zirconia; Fission products; Ceramics; Spinel; Retention; Ion beams; Aluminium oxide; Radioactive waste; Ion implantation; Waste treatment; Magnesium oxide; Immobilization; Mobility; Hazardous waste; Stabilized zirconia; Radioisotope; Zirconium oxide; Fission product; Spinels; Concentration effect; Yttrium oxide; Performance; Thermal annealing; Ceramic materials
• ISSN: 0042-207X; 1879-2715
• DOI: 10.1016/S0042-207X(02)00630-9

The present article deals with the retention of fission products in nuclear ceramics considered as possible inert matrices for actinide transmutation. Various concentrations of a typical fission product (Cs) were introduced into yttria-stabilized zirconia and magnesium-aluminate spinel by ion implantation. The modifications of the Cs implantation profiles resulting from thermal treatments (annealing and/or irradiation at temperatures up to 900°C) were monitored by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry experiments. The results show the essential role played by the concentration of implanted species on their retention. A dramatic release of fission products was observed when the concentration exceeds a threshold of a few atomic per cent in both materials. Irradiation of implanted samples with medium-energy noble-gas ions leads to an enhancement of the Cs diffusion.