Thermodynamics of Fluorite-Structured Oxides Relevant to Nuclear Energy: A Review

Abstract

Fluorite structured materials have shown their applicability in various fields both on and off Earth. In particular, these oxides find extensive application in nuclear energy and the use of actinides in space and planetary settings, thermal and environmental barrier coatings, aerospace applications, catalysts, fuel cells, and batteries. Research done on thermodynamic data collection should be structured to facilitate its use in predictive calculations. In this review, we bring together several decades of experimental thermodynamic analysis of fluorite-based oxides with an emphasis on their relevance to all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle. This review is relatively short in the interest of offering an accessible perspective, especially for scientists early in their careers in nuclear science.

Preparation of Structural Heat-and-Radiation-Resistant Integrated Epoxy by Constructing a Carborane-Hybridized Cross-Linked Network

“…Nuclear energy has found extensive applications in the fields of nuclear power, healthcare, scientific research, and aerospace. − The radiation generated by nuclear facilities posed significant harm to both human health and the natural environment; therefore, the safety of nuclear facilities was of utmost importance. , Polymer materials, cherished for their lightweight nature, cost-effectiveness, and durability, were widely utilized in various nuclear installations. The stability, high performance, and multifunctionality of these polymers ensured the secure operation of nuclear facilities.…”

Selective Crystallization of a Highly Radiation-Resistant Isonicotinic Acid-Based Metal–Organic Framework as a Primary Actinide Waste Form

“…In particular, waste streams from reprocessing and weapons manufacturing require immobilization in robust waste forms before disposal. Such actinide waste forms may be the fuel matrix itself or incorporation into borosilicate glass, crystalline ceramics, synthetic rocks, or cementitious matrices, which need to be fabricated to meet some crucial requirements covering chemical, radiation stability, low aqueous solubility, and resistance to temperature or pressure . The waste form should persist in the repository environment over 10 5 –10 6 years equivalent to a requisite period for the sufficient decay of actinides to a low level of radioactivity .…”

“…Such actinide waste forms may be the fuel matrix itself or incorporation into borosilicate glass, 2 crystalline ceramics, 3 synthetic rocks, 4 or cementitious matrices, 5 which need to be fabricated to meet some crucial requirements covering chemical, radiation stability, low aqueous solubility, and resistance to temperature or pressure. 6 The waste form should persist in the repository environment over 10 5 −10 6 years equivalent to a requisite period for the sufficient decay of actinides to a low level of radioactivity. 7 Nuclear glasses 8 and cementitious 9 waste forms are currently best established, but significant progress has also been made concerning the development of synthetic rocks 10 and ceramic waste forms.…”