Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere.

dc.contributor.advisorThabethe, Thabsile T.
dc.contributor.coadvisorLanga, Dolly Frans
dc.contributor.coadvisorNtsoane, Tshepo Paul
dc.contributor.emailtshepisokadi1@gmail.comen_US
dc.contributor.postgraduateKadi, Tshepiso Bridget
dc.date.accessioned2025-02-14T12:32:28Z
dc.date.available2025-02-14T12:32:28Z
dc.date.created2025-04
dc.date.issued2024-12
dc.descriptionDissertation (MSc (Physics))--University of Pretoria, 2024.en_US
dc.description.abstractThis study investigates the effect of europium (Eu) ion implantation and heat treatment on the microstructure of ZrC along with the diffusion behaviour of Eu ions in the ZrC substrate. ZrC samples were implanted with Eu ions at room temperature with a fluence of 1×10¹⁶ cm⁻² and an energy of 360 keV, then annealed from 600°C to 800°C. Structural changes, elemental composition, strain, phase identification, and diffusion were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), EDS, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy (RBS). XRD analysis indicated implantation-induced structural damage, as evidenced by increased FWHM, suggesting lattice strain and defects. RBS revealed a europium penetration depth of ~76 nm, while annealing at 700°C caused Eu ions to migrate closer to the surface, and at 800°C, they diffused outward, with SEM showing larger surface cracks. Oxidation began at 600°C, with ZrO₂ formation confirmed by XRD and EDS, peaking at 700°C, and partially reducing at 800°C in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. XRD data also showed recrystallization during annealing, with enhanced peak intensities and increased crystallite sizes, highlighting the interplay between Eu diffusion, surface oxidation, and microstructural recovery in ZrC.en_US
dc.description.availabilityUnrestricteden_US
dc.description.degreeMSc (Physics)en_US
dc.description.departmentPhysicsen_US
dc.description.facultyFaculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciencesen_US
dc.description.sdgSDG-07: Affordable and clean energyen_US
dc.description.sponsorshipNational Research Foundation (NRF)en_US
dc.identifier.citation*en_US
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28417292en_US
dc.identifier.otherA2025en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/100927
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherUniversity of Pretoria
dc.rights© 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
dc.subjectUCTDen_US
dc.subjectSustainable Development Goals (SDGs)en_US
dc.subjectZirconium carbideen_US
dc.subjectIon implantationen_US
dc.subjectEuropiumen_US
dc.subjectTri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuelen_US
dc.subjectX-ray Diffraction (XRD)en_US
dc.titleMicrostructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere.en_US
dc.typeDissertationen_US

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