Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The oxidation of δ−stabilized plutonium alloy has been studied under dry oxygen exposures for temperatures varying from 100°C up to 300°C and oxygen partial pressures varying from 10− 4 up to 500 mbar. The coupling of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and FIB-SEM has allowed to show that the oxide scale is composed of an outer layer of PuO2 and an inner mixed layer of α+β−Pu2O3 platelets propagating into a metallic zone corresponding to the stable phase of unalloyed Pu. Furthermore, the analysis of Pu oxidation kinetics has displayed first a parabolic growth governed by the diffusion of interstitial oxygen. This step consists in the thickening of the Pu2O3 layer with a decrease in α−Pu2O3 ratio in favour of β−Pu2O3. Then, a second step occurs consisting in a linear growth of the PuO2−layer with the formation of thick nodules which tend to cover the whole oxide surface. Based on the results of this work, a general oxidation mechanism for δ−Pu alloy is provided.
Institutions: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, CEA Valduc, CEA Cadarache, CEA Paris-Saclay - Etablissement de Saclay, CEA Marcoule, Institut des Sciences et technologies pour une Economie Circulaire des énergies bas carbone, Synchrotron SOLEIL, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Bourgogne, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,890
OpenAlex ID: W4401768909