Effects of irradiation temperature on the microstructure and deuterium retention in γ-LiAlO2 pellets
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
This report presents the experimental findings obtained from November 2023 to September 2024. The study aims to investigate the effects of temperature on the microstructure, deuterium (D) retention, and lithium (Li) loss in γ-LiAlO2 pellets subjected to sequential He+ and D+ ion irradiation to a high dose. Sequential ion irradiation has been a key method in our previous studies to simulate the behavior of γ-LiAlO2 under neutron irradiation. In addition to dose and dose rate, irradiation temperature is a critical factor influencing microstructural and compositional changes. LiAl5O8 precipitates have been observed in γ-LiAlO2 pellets irradiated with reactor neutrons at ~300°C. These precipitates also form during ion irradiation at an elevated temperature of 500°C, but not at 300°C. In our ion irradiation experiments, the dose rate is typically three orders of magnitude higher than that of neutron irradiation, leading to a more rapid damage production. To better emulate the microstructural features in neutron-irradiated pellets using ion irradiation, a higher irradiation temperature is needed to accelerate the diffusion of point defects and enhance defect recovery rates, thereby compensating for the effects of the higher dose rate. The microstructural changes observed are the result of competing processes occurring during ion irradiation.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 2476695
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL--36560
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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