A Novel Dual-Step Nucleation Pathway in Crystalline Solids under Neutron Irradiation
Abstract
Innovations in nanostructuring of inorganic crystalline solids are often limited by prerequisite critical nucleation energy and solute supersaturation for formation of a phase. This research provides direct evidence supporting the viability of an unconventional irradiation-induced nanostructuring process, via transmission electron microscopy, that circumvents these preconditions. Using polymorphic silicon carbide (SiC) as a prototype, a surprising two-step nucleation route is demonstrated through which nanoscale distribution of the second phase is achieved by reaction of solutes with neutron irradiation-induced precursors. In the first step, nanoscale α–SiC precipitates in a β–SiC matrix unexpectedly nucleate heterogeneously at structural defects. This occurs at significantly lower temperatures compared with the usual β→α transition temperature. Subsequently, α–SiC precipitate acts as a surrogate template for its structural and compositional transition into a fission product precipitate, palladium silicide. These discoveries provide a modern view of irradiation engineering in polymorphic ceramics for advanced applications.
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- Contributing Org.:
- EMN-HyMARC
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1469359
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-17-42957-Rev000
Journal ID: ISSN 2045-2322; PII: 18548
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Scientific Reports
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 8; Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2045-2322
- Publisher:
- Nature Publishing Group
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
Citation Formats
Meher, Subhashish, van Rooyen, Isabella J., and Lillo, Thomas M. A Novel Dual-Step Nucleation Pathway in Crystalline Solids under Neutron Irradiation. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-18548-8.
Meher, Subhashish, van Rooyen, Isabella J., & Lillo, Thomas M. A Novel Dual-Step Nucleation Pathway in Crystalline Solids under Neutron Irradiation. United States. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18548-8
Meher, Subhashish, van Rooyen, Isabella J., and Lillo, Thomas M. Mon .
"A Novel Dual-Step Nucleation Pathway in Crystalline Solids under Neutron Irradiation". United States. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-18548-8. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1469359.
@article{osti_1469359,
title = {A Novel Dual-Step Nucleation Pathway in Crystalline Solids under Neutron Irradiation},
author = {Meher, Subhashish and van Rooyen, Isabella J. and Lillo, Thomas M.},
abstractNote = {Innovations in nanostructuring of inorganic crystalline solids are often limited by prerequisite critical nucleation energy and solute supersaturation for formation of a phase. This research provides direct evidence supporting the viability of an unconventional irradiation-induced nanostructuring process, via transmission electron microscopy, that circumvents these preconditions. Using polymorphic silicon carbide (SiC) as a prototype, a surprising two-step nucleation route is demonstrated through which nanoscale distribution of the second phase is achieved by reaction of solutes with neutron irradiation-induced precursors. In the first step, nanoscale α–SiC precipitates in a β–SiC matrix unexpectedly nucleate heterogeneously at structural defects. This occurs at significantly lower temperatures compared with the usual β→α transition temperature. Subsequently, α–SiC precipitate acts as a surrogate template for its structural and compositional transition into a fission product precipitate, palladium silicide. These discoveries provide a modern view of irradiation engineering in polymorphic ceramics for advanced applications.},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-017-18548-8},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
number = 1,
volume = 8,
place = {United States},
year = {Mon Jan 08 00:00:00 EST 2018},
month = {Mon Jan 08 00:00:00 EST 2018}
}
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