Comprehensive characterization of the irradiation effects of glassy carbon

Arregui-Mena, Jose David; Koyanagi, Takaaki; Cullen, David A.; Zachman, Michael J.; Lin, Yan-Ru; Edmondson, Philip D.; Katoh, Yutai

doi:10.1016/j.actamat.2024.120441

Title: Comprehensive characterization of the irradiation effects of glassy carbon

Journal Article · 29 September 2024 · Acta Materialia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2024.120441 · OSTI ID:2462884

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Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Univ. of Manchester (United Kingdom)

Carbon materials have become increasingly diverse, finding applications in high-temperature and high-radiation environments. Glassy carbon, an allotrope known for its exceptional chemical inertness and desirable mechanical properties. However, understanding neutron irradiation effects in glassy carbon has proven challenging, primarily because of its unique nanopore structure. Here, this study presents a highly detailed microstructural characterization investigation of neutron-induced changes in glassy carbon, revealing how changes in nanopore structure and crystallinity impact the irradiation-induced shrinkage. Aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) reveals pore closure that leads to material densification in the irradiated samples. Dimensional analysis combined with comparison to historical data suggest significant length shrinkage to occur. Neutron and in situ electron irradiation experiments suggest that glassy carbon transforms into so-called carbon onions, supporting the concept of shrinkage saturation. Investigating irradiation temperature effects using STEM, electron energy loss spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy revealed partial amorphization at 210 °C–230 °C and preserved order in glassy carbon at 860 °C, coinciding with pore closure. Thermal property measurements were also conducted to assess the effects of densification and other changes in the atomic structure of glassy carbon. The results of this study have broad implications in the deployment of glassy carbon to nuclear environments, based around the observed changes in the thermal properties, and demonstrates the operational window for the onset of densification.

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Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 2462884

Journal Information:: Acta Materialia, Journal Name: Acta Materialia Vol. 281; ISSN 1359-6454

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Comprehensive characterization of the irradiation effects of glassy carbon

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