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Title: Simulations of self- and Xe diffusivity in uranium mononitride including chemistry and irradiation effects

Journal Article · · Journal of Nuclear Materials

A combination of density functional theory and empirical potential atomic scale simulations have been used to determine a model for defect stability and mobility in uranium mononitride (UN), as a function of temperature (T) and N2 partial pressure (pN2). Using the model, predictions of hypo-stoichiometry under U-rich conditions compare favorably to CALPHAD calculations using the TAF-ID database. Furthermore, our predictions of U and N self-diffusivity are in good agreement with experiments carried out as a function of T at specific partial pressures under thermal equilibrium. The validated atomic scale data have then been implemented within a cluster dynamics method to simulate irradiation-enhanced defect concentrations. All defects and clusters studied have significantly enhanced concentrations, with respect to thermal equilibrium, as T is lowered. The irradiation-enhanced Xe diffusivity is compared to post-irradiation annealing and in-pile experiments. In conclusion, the contributions of various defects and clusters to non-stoichiometry, self-diffusivity, and Xe diffusivity are discussed.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
89233218CNA000001
OSTI ID:
1998128
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-23-21397; TRN: US2405358
Journal Information:
Journal of Nuclear Materials, Vol. 587; ISSN 0022-3115
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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