Phase evolution and microstructural studies of Gd1 − xYbxPO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) ceramics for radioactive waste storage. Issue 3 (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meng, Cheng; Ding, Xingeng; Zhao, Junchuan; Ren, Chunrong; Fu, Huiqin; Yang, Hui
• Is Part Of: Journal of the European Ceramic Society. Volume 36:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 773
• Page End: 779
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Ceramics -- Phase transitions -- Crystal structure -- Microstructure; Ceramic materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Matériaux céramiques -- Périodiques; Composites -- Périodiques; Ceramic materials; Composite materials; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2015.10.045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-2219

Abstract

Abstract: Rare-earth phosphates (REPO4 ) represent one candidate to contain minor actinides separated from used nuclear fuel. In this work, the Gd1 − x Yb x PO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) series is synthesized via conventional solid-state reaction using Gd as the surrogate for trivalent actinides (Am, Cm), with microstructure/phase structure characterized by XRD, XPS, HRTEM and SEM as well. Solid solutions of monazite- and xenotime-type compounds are observed in the system. The structural boundary between two phases is based on the experimental temperature. The monazite → xenotime transformation is most likely to occur on a (2 0 0) monazite plane along the [0 2 0] zone. The pure xenotime-type crystalline phase with Gd0.9 Yb0.1 PO4 composition is obtained at 1600 °C.