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Cr and rare-earth grey phases form in doped fuel models

Close-up overhead view of tan and beige ceramic pellets or granules in a laboratory setting, with metal tools and containers visible, suggesting materials science research or analysis of ceramic samples.
Research area:ChemistryMaterials ChemistryRadioactive element chemistry and processing

What the study found

Chromium and praseodymium or gadolinium were found to form perovskite-type phases, described as classical "grey phases," in the Cr-doped uranium oxide model materials studied. The irradiated related compounds showed substantial structural damage, but the crystal structure was still retained.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that the chemistry of dopants used in nuclear fuel enhancements should be considered because it affects how these species are present during irradiation and how they may appear in spent fuel.

What the researchers tested

The researchers used high energy resolution fluorescence detected X-ray absorption near edge structure (HERFD-XANES, a spectroscopy method that probes chemical state) to examine chromium and praseodymium/gadolinium speciation in 200 ppm Cr-doped (U 4.4+ 0.7 Pr 3+ 0.3 )O 2-x and 200 ppm Cr-doped (U 4.4+ 0.7 Gd 3+ 0.3 )O 2-x compounds. They also irradiated PrCrO3 and GdCrO3 with swift heavy ions and examined the results with electron microscopy and grazing incidence synchrotron diffraction.

What worked and what didn't

HERFD-XANES analysis indicated that Cr3+ and Pr3+ or Gd3+ formed perovskite-type (Pr3+/Gd3+)Cr3+O3 phases, consistent with grey phases in spent fuel. In the irradiation tests, the compounds showed significant amorphization, but the crystal structure remained present.

What to keep in mind

The study used model materials rather than spent fuel itself, so the findings are based on these compounds and the irradiation tests described in the abstract. The abstract does not describe additional limitations beyond this scope.

Key points

  • Cr3+ and Pr3+ or Gd3+ formed perovskite-type grey phases in the doped uranium oxide model materials.
  • HERFD-XANES was used to examine chromium and rare-earth speciation in 200 ppm Cr-doped compounds.
  • Swift heavy ion irradiation caused significant amorphization in PrCrO3 and GdCrO3.
  • Despite amorphization, the crystal structure was still retained in the irradiated compounds.
  • The authors say dopant chemistry should be considered when thinking about irradiation behavior and spent fuel occurrence.

Disclosure

Research title:
Cr and rare-earth grey phases form in doped fuel models
Authors:
Daniil Shirokiy, Andrey Bukaemskiy, Maximilian Henkes, Elena F. Bazarkina, Christoph Hennig, Andrew Ryan, Martina Klinkenberg, Murat Güngör, Mara McCleary, Julien Marquardt, Andrew N. Fitch, Kristina O. Kvashnina, Dirk Bosbach, Gabriel L. Murphy
Institutions:
Forschungszentrum Jülich, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Princeton University, Goethe University Frankfurt, Délégation Alpes
Publication date:
2026-02-16
DOI:
10.1038/s41529-026-00752-5
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

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