Characterization of crystalline phases of (U,Er)O2 pellets by X-ray diffraction

Abstract

Optimization of nuclear fuel for use in pressurized water reactors can be achieved by obtaining higher burnups. This, however, requires the excess reactivity caused by increasing the fuel's enrichment to be taken into account, which can be done by introducing burnable absorbers into the UO2 fuel pellets themselves. Some of the rare earth elements have thermal and mechanical properties that make them appropriate for use inside the reactor. In order to characterize the microstructure of erbium-doped UO2 fuel, sintered UO2-Er2O3 pellets were prepared, with Er2O3 content ranging from 1:0 to 9:8wt%, and analyzed by X-ray di raction to determine whether the composite formed solid solutions and, if so, evaluate the lattice parameter as a function of erbia concentration. While XRD analysis showed the Er2O3 completely dissolved in the UO2 powder, it also evidenced the emergence of a second uorite-type phase, whose phase fraction increases and lattice parameter decreases with increasing erbia concentration. Analysis of the di raction patterns showed this emerging phase has the same crystalline structure as the host lattice, but with a smaller lattice parameter, and a smaller domain size. These results are compatible with the phenomenon of defect segregation, which consists in the formation of microdomains with a higher concentration of defects.