Carbides for Future Fission Environments (CAFFE)
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Materials
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Burr P
(2016)
Experimental and DFT investigation of (Cr,Ti) 3 AlC 2 MAX phases stability
in Materials Research Letters
Faber K
(2017)
The role of ceramic and glass science research in meeting societal challenges: Report from an NSF -sponsored workshop
in Journal of the American Ceramic Society
Gasparrini C
(2017)
Oxidation of UC: An in situ high temperature environmental scanning electron microscopy study
in Journal of Nuclear Materials
Gasparrini C
(2016)
Zirconium Carbide Oxidation: Maltese Cross Formation and Interface Characterization
in Oxidation of Metals
Gasparrini C
(2018)
Zirconium carbide oxidation: Kinetics and oxygen diffusion through the intermediate layer
in Journal of the American Ceramic Society
Giorgi E
(2018)
Reactive carbothermal reduction of ZrC and ZrOC using Spark Plasma Sintering
in Advances in Applied Ceramics
Harrison R
(2016)
Processing and properties of ZrC, ZrN and ZrCN ceramics: a review
in Advances in Applied Ceramics
Horlait D
(2016)
Attempts to synthesise quaternary MAX phases (Zr,M) 2 AlC and Zr 2 (Al,A)C as a way to approach Zr 2 AlC
in Materials Research Letters
Horlait D
(2016)
Synthesis and DFT investigation of new bismuth-containing MAX phases.
in Scientific reports
Kota S
(2016)
Corrigendum: Synthesis and Characterization of an Alumina Forming Nanolaminated Boride: MoAlB.
in Scientific reports
| Description | We have discovered a series of new complex carbide ceramics and examined their potential use as cladding for accident tolerant nuclear fuels. While the bulk ceramics are not suitable in this application some of the complex carbide coatings we developed show promise. Evaluation of different quaternary Zr-based MAX phase systems were studied and it was found that Si and Ti additions help to synthesize Zr3AlC2 with yields above 59 wt.% and as high as 95 wt.%. In addition, it was found that Zr2AlC and Zr3AlC2 shows a complete solid solubility with Ti2AlC and Ti3AlC2 in the Zr-Ti-Al-C quaternary system, respectively. It was also found that powder processing in O environments is detrimental compared to powder processing in Ar environments, as for example, if levels of O are above 0.6 wt% on the precursor ZrH2 powders, Zr3Al0.9Si0.1C2 MAX phase does not form. Therefore, thermal treatments to try to reduce O levels on ZrH2 precursor powders are ongoing. First MAX phase with 5 components (Zr2.5Ti0.5Al0.81Si0.1C2) was discovered and resulted in an improvement of the yield compared to the quaternary MAX phase homologous (from 59 wt. % to 81 wt. %). This approach is currently being considered to be extended to other Zr-based MAX phase materials. |
| Exploitation Route | We are working with the nuclear industry through a consortium to examine potential application in accident tolerant nuclear fuels. |
| Sectors | Energy |
| Description | Being examined by the nuclear industry for accident tolerant fuel costings. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Energy |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | EPSRC UK-Japan Nuclear Research Call - Advanced Waste Management Strategies for High Dose Spent Absorbents |
| Amount | £435,120 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2015 |
| End | 03/2018 |
| Description | Sabbatical stay at Imperial for Michel Barsoum of Drexel University, USA |
| Organisation | Drexel University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Research collaboration with Michel Barsoum, the world leader in MAX phase ceramics including carbides. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Spent 3 months at Imperial College in London, taught courses, gave lectures at other universities and joined the CAFFE international advisory board. |
| Impact | 1 publication so far, others in preparation. |
| Start Year | 2015 |
| Description | D Horlait, Keynote Talk, 14th ECERS conference, (Toledo), Spain. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Keynote Talk, Development of MAX phases for high-temperature protection of nuclear fuel cladding in accident conditions 14th ECERS conference, June 2015 Toledo, Spain. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | D Horlait,Keynote Talk, 39th ICACC conference, Daytona Beach, (Florida) USA |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | • Keynote Talk, Synthesis, characterization and oxidation testing of MAX phases in the Cr-Ti-Al-C system and of Zr2AlC based compounds, 39th ICACC conference, January 2015 Daytona Beach, FL, USA |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Invited Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at Intl. Ceramics Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | "Zrn+1AlCn MAX phases for future fission environments". National conference of Serbian ceramic society. September 2016. Belgrade (Serbia) Plenary lecture |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | S. A. Humphry-Baker, AMPT Annual meeting 2015, (Madrid), Spain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Microstructural evolution in helium implanted cermets, S. A. Humphry-Baker, G. Greaves, J Hinks, S. E. Donnelly, G. D. W. Smith and W. E. Lee in Symposium: Characterisation and modelling of radiation effects across classes of materials: Tungsten, AMPT Annual meeting 2015, Madrid, Spain 14th December 2015 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Seminar by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | "Enabling materials for extreme environments". Department of Materials Science Engineering. Missouri S&T University. February 2017. Rolla (USA). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | "Ultra-fast and energy efficient sintering by electric current concentration/localization". Invited lecture for my award as Best young researcher 2014 by the Royal Academy of Science of Seville. April 2016. Seville (Spain). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at 12th Pacific Rim Conferene on Ceramic and Glass Technology (PACRIM), May 21-26 2017 Waikoloa, Hawaii (USA) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Zrn+1AlCn and Zrn+1SiCn MAX phases for future fission environments: Challenges and limitations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at 15th Conference & Exhibition of the European Ceramic Society. July 9-13, 2017. Budapest (Hungary) . |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A study on the feasability of Zrn+1AlCn and Zrn+1SiCn MAX phases for future fission environments |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at Accident Tolerant Fuel CARAT consortium meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | "Stabilization of Zrn+1AlCn MAX phases for fission environments" ATF CARAT meeting September 2016. Boise (Idaho) Talk |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at Accident Tolerant Fuels CARAT consortium meeting 2015 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Introduction to EPSRC CAFFE consortium goals |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at Int Conf. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | "Advances and challenges in Zrn+1AlCn MAX phases for future fission reactors". 41 ICACC. January 2017. Daytona Beach (USA). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at Intl Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | "Stabilization of Zrn+1AlCn MAX phases: Issues and achievements". MS&T 2016. October 2016. Salt Lake City (USA) Talk |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at Intl. Ceramics Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Challenges to improve fission reactors safety by Zrn+1AlCn MAX phases". National conference of Spanish Ceramic Society. October 2016. Seville (Spain) Talk |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at Materials Science & Technology (MS&T17), October 8-12 2017, Pittsburgh (USA) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Oxidation and corrosion resistance of Zrn+1AlCn MAX phases for future fission environments |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at Structural Materials in Innovative Nuclear Systems IV |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Stabilization of Zrn+1AlCn MAX phases by partial substitutions in the quaternary systems (Zr,M)n+1AlCn and Zrn+1(Al,A')Cn. Structural Materials in Innovative Nuclear Systems IV (SMINS IV). July 2016 .Manchester (UK). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | "Advances and challenges in Zrn+1AlCn MAX phases for fission reactors". 1 DRAC meeting. December 2016. London (UK). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Talk by Eugenio Zapata-Solvas at conference on Non-stoichiometric Compounds IV |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Synthesis and sintering of ZrC1-x powders with variable stoichiometry (0 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | conference presentation in Milan |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on progress in identifying carbon vacancy distributions in Zirconium Carbide ceramics for nuclear applications |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |