Kuibao Zhang

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of ZrO 2 incorporated Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 pyrochlore

In this research, Zr-doped Gd2Ti2O7 pyrochlores, with the composition of Gd2(Ti1-xZrx)2O7, were firstly synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis plus quick pressing (SHS/QP) using CuO as the oxidant and Ti as the reductant. To improve the radiation resistance of titanate–pyrochlore, up to 35 at% Zr was incorporated to substitute the Ti site of Gd2Ti2O7 pyrochlore (Gd2(Ti0.75Zr0.35)2O7). XRD and SEM microstructural characterizations showed the formation of a composite ceramic with the major pyrochlore phase and the minor Cu phase. The generated temperature of samples decreased from 1702 to 1011°C with increasing Zr content. The effects of sintering temperature and pressure time on phase composition and microstructure were systematically studied. Besides, the influence of thermal transmission on the whole combustion process was also explored. The pyrochlore-based waste form possessed high bulk density of 6.25 g/cm3 and Vickers hardness of 10.81 GPa. The MCC-1 leaching test showed the normalized elemental leaching rates (42 d) of Cu, Gd, and Zr are 1.27×10-2, 1.33×10-3, and 8.44×10-7 g·m-2·d-1, respectively.

Growth mechanism of one-step self-masking reactive-ion-etching (RIE) broadband antireflective and superhydrophilic structures induced by metal nanodots on fused silica

This work presents a low-cost, simple, convenient, advanced technology to prepare large-area defect-free subwavelength structures (SWSs). SWSs were obtained by a metal-induced one-step self-masking RIE process on a fused-silica surface, in which metal-fluoride (mainly ferrous-fluoride) nanodots were used to induce and gather stable fluorocarbon polymer etching inhibitors in the RIE polymers as masks. The SWS growth processes are visible with an increase in etching time and some exhibit prominent broadband antireflective properties from the visible to the near-infrared wavelength range. Transmission in the 600-900-nm range increased from approximately 93% for the polished fused silica to above 99% for the double-side SWSs on fused silica. A theoretical simulation by a finite-difference time-domain method agreed well with the experiments. Moreover, the surface of the SWSs exhibits excellent superhydrophilic properties.

Effect of CHF 3 /Ar Gas Flow Ratio on Self-masking Subwavelength Structures Prepared on Fused Silica Surface

Based on an advanced technology, randomly-aligned subwavelength structures (SWSs) were obtained by a metal-nanodot-induced one-step self-masking reactive-ion-etching process on a fused silica surface. Metal-fluoride (mainly ferrous-fluoride) nanodots induce and gather stable fluorocarbon polymer etching inhibitors in the reactive-ion-etching polymers as masks. Metal fluoride (mainly ferrous fluoride) is produced by the sputtering of argon plasma and the ion-enhanced chemical reaction of metal atoms. With an increase in CHF3/Ar gas flow ratio, the average height of the SWSs increases, the number of SWSs per specific area increases and then decreases, and the optical transmittance of visible light increases and then decreases. The optimum CHF3/Ar gas flow ratio for preparing SWSs is 1:5.

Heavy-ion irradiation effects on U 3 O 8 incorporated Gd 2 Zr 2 O 7 waste forms

In this research, the heavy-ion irradiation effects of U-bearing Gd2Zr2O7 ceramics were explored for nuclear waste immobilization. U3O8 was designed to be incorporated into Gd2Zr2O7 from two different routes in the form of (Gd1-4xU2x)2(Zr1-xUx)2O7 (x = 0.1, 0.14). The self-irradiation of actinide nuclides was simulated by Xe20+ heavy-ion radiation under different fluences. Grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) analysis reveals the relationship between radiation dose, damage and depth. The radiation tolerance is promoted with the increment of U3O8 content in the discussed range. Raman spectroscopy testifies the enhancement of radiation tolerance and microscopically existed phase evolution from the chemical bond vibrations. In addition, the microstructure and elemental distribution of the irradiated samples were analyzed as well. The amorphization degree of the sample surface declines as the U content was elevated from x = 0.1 to x = 0.14.

Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis, phase composition and aqueous durability of Nd–Al bearing zirconolite-rich composites as nuclear waste form

ABSTRACT In this study, the zirconolite-rich composite was rapidly synthesised from self-propagating high-temperature synthesis plus quick pressing using MoO3 as the oxidant and Ti as the reductant. As a surrogate of trivalent actinides, Nd was introduced to substitute the Ca site of zirconolite and Al was employed as the charge compensator to replace the Ti site (nominally Ca1−xNdxZrTi2−xAlxO7). The phase composition and Nd occupancy were analysed after Nd2O3 addition. Nd-bearing zirconolite was produced as the major ceramic phase. Nd mostly substitutes the Ca sites of zirconolite, which results in waste loading higher than 8.6 wt-% Nd. The aqueous durability of Nd–Al codoped sample (with 15 at.-% Nd substitutes the Ca site of zirconolite) was evaluated at 90°C as well. The 42 days normalised leaching rates of Mo, Ca and Nd were measured to be 3.70, 1.90 × 10−2 and 3.46 × 10−4 g m−2 d−1.

Preparation and aqueous durability of Sr incorporation into rutile TiO2

TiO2 was employed as the waste form for disposal of simulated nuclide Sr. Preparation of Sr bearing rutile was explored under different sintering temperatures and Sr contents. The optimal treatment temperature was confirmed as 1 300 °C for the incorporation of SrO in rutile TiO2. Perovskite type SrTiO3 was prepared as the resultant product. The limited containment capacity of SrO in rutile was speculated to be 56.5wt%. As the SrO content increases, the as-synthesized sample exhibits more porosity because SrTiO3 phase demonstrates higher density than rutile and SrO. The 28 day normalized leaching rate (LRi) of Sr and Ti will decrease congruously as the SrO incorporation increases. The LRSr value is lower than 0.1 g·m-2·d-1, which is about 3 orders of magnitude higher than the LRTi value.