The defect chemistry of from atomistic simulations
Abstract
Control of the defect chemistry in UO2±x is important for manipulating nuclear fuel properties and fuel performance. For example, the uranium vacancy concentration is critical for fission gas release and sintering, while all oxygen and uranium defects are known to strongly influence thermal conductivity. Here the point defect concentrations in thermal equilibrium are predicted using defect energies from density functional theory (DFT) and vibrational entropies calculated using empirical potentials. Electrons and holes have been treated in a similar fashion to other charged defects allowing for structural relaxation around the localized electronic defects. Predictions are made for the defect concentrations and non-stoichiometry of UO2±x as a function of oxygen partial pressure and temperature. If vibrational entropy is omitted, oxygen interstitials are predicted to be the dominant mechanism of excess oxygen accommodation over only a small temperature range (1265 K to 1350 K), in contrast to experimental observation. Conversely, if vibrational entropy is included oxygen interstitials dominate from 1165 K to 1680 K (Busker potential) or from 1275 K to 1630 K (CRG potential). Below these temperature ranges excess oxygen is predicted to be accommodated by uranium vacancies, while above them the system is hypo-stoichiometric with oxygen deficiency accommodated by oxygen vacancies.more »
- Authors:
-
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Lancaster Univ. (United Kingdom). Dept. of Engineering
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1524370
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1550712
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-17-29135
Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115
- Grant/Contract Number:
- 89233218CNA000001; AC52-06NA25396
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Nuclear Materials
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 504; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 0022-3115
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
Citation Formats
Cooper, Michael William Donald, Murphy, Samuel T, and Andersson, Anders David Ragnar. The defect chemistry of UO2±x from atomistic simulations. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1016/j.jnucmat.2018.02.034.
Cooper, Michael William Donald, Murphy, Samuel T, & Andersson, Anders David Ragnar. The defect chemistry of UO2±x from atomistic simulations. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2018.02.034
Cooper, Michael William Donald, Murphy, Samuel T, and Andersson, Anders David Ragnar. Fri .
"The defect chemistry of UO2±x from atomistic simulations". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnucmat.2018.02.034. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1524370.
@article{osti_1524370,
title = {The defect chemistry of UO2±x from atomistic simulations},
author = {Cooper, Michael William Donald and Murphy, Samuel T and Andersson, Anders David Ragnar},
abstractNote = {Control of the defect chemistry in UO2±x is important for manipulating nuclear fuel properties and fuel performance. For example, the uranium vacancy concentration is critical for fission gas release and sintering, while all oxygen and uranium defects are known to strongly influence thermal conductivity. Here the point defect concentrations in thermal equilibrium are predicted using defect energies from density functional theory (DFT) and vibrational entropies calculated using empirical potentials. Electrons and holes have been treated in a similar fashion to other charged defects allowing for structural relaxation around the localized electronic defects. Predictions are made for the defect concentrations and non-stoichiometry of UO2±x as a function of oxygen partial pressure and temperature. If vibrational entropy is omitted, oxygen interstitials are predicted to be the dominant mechanism of excess oxygen accommodation over only a small temperature range (1265 K to 1350 K), in contrast to experimental observation. Conversely, if vibrational entropy is included oxygen interstitials dominate from 1165 K to 1680 K (Busker potential) or from 1275 K to 1630 K (CRG potential). Below these temperature ranges excess oxygen is predicted to be accommodated by uranium vacancies, while above them the system is hypo-stoichiometric with oxygen deficiency accommodated by oxygen vacancies. Our results are discussed in the context of oxygen clustering, formation of U4O9, and issues for fuel behavior. In particular, the variation of the uranium vacancy concentrations as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure will underpin future studies into fission gas diffusivity and broaden the understanding of UO2±x sintering.},
doi = {10.1016/j.jnucmat.2018.02.034},
journal = {Journal of Nuclear Materials},
number = C,
volume = 504,
place = {United States},
year = {2018},
month = {6}
}
Web of Science
Figures / Tables:

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Works referencing / citing this record:
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