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In this research, Zr-doped Gd2Ti2O7 pyrochlores, with the composition of Gd2(Ti1-xZrx)2O7, were firstly synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis plus quick pressing (SHS/QP) using CuO as the oxidant and Ti as the reductant. To improve the radiation resistance of titanate–pyrochlore, up to 35 at% Zr was incorporated to substitute the Ti site of Gd2Ti2O7 pyrochlore (Gd2(Ti0.75Zr0.35)2O7). XRD and SEM microstructural characterizations showed the formation of a composite ceramic with the major pyrochlore phase and the minor Cu phase. The generated temperature of samples decreased from 1702 to 1011 ℃ with increasing Zr content. The effects of sintering temperature and pressure time on phase composition and microstructure were systematically studied. Besides, the influence of thermal transmission on the whole combustion process was also explored. The pyrochlore-based waste form possessed high bulk density of 6.25 g/cm3 and Vickers hardness of 10.81 GPa. The MCC-1 leaching test showed the normalized elemental leaching rates (42 d) of Cu, Gd, and Zr are 1.27×10-2, 1.33×10-3, and 8.44×10-7 g·m-2·d-1, respectively.


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Self-propagating high-temperature synthesis of ZrO2 incorporated Gd2Ti2O7 pyrochlore

Show Author's information Le PENGa,bKuibao ZHANGa( )Zongsheng HEaDan YINaJiali XUEaChen XUbHaibin ZHANGc
State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for Nonmetal Composite and Functional Materials, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan 621010, China
Science and Technology on Surface Physics and Chemistry Laboratory, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan 621907, China
Institute of Nuclear Physics and Chemistry, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, Sichuan 621900, China

Abstract

In this research, Zr-doped Gd2Ti2O7 pyrochlores, with the composition of Gd2(Ti1-xZrx)2O7, were firstly synthesized by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis plus quick pressing (SHS/QP) using CuO as the oxidant and Ti as the reductant. To improve the radiation resistance of titanate–pyrochlore, up to 35 at% Zr was incorporated to substitute the Ti site of Gd2Ti2O7 pyrochlore (Gd2(Ti0.75Zr0.35)2O7). XRD and SEM microstructural characterizations showed the formation of a composite ceramic with the major pyrochlore phase and the minor Cu phase. The generated temperature of samples decreased from 1702 to 1011 ℃ with increasing Zr content. The effects of sintering temperature and pressure time on phase composition and microstructure were systematically studied. Besides, the influence of thermal transmission on the whole combustion process was also explored. The pyrochlore-based waste form possessed high bulk density of 6.25 g/cm3 and Vickers hardness of 10.81 GPa. The MCC-1 leaching test showed the normalized elemental leaching rates (42 d) of Cu, Gd, and Zr are 1.27×10-2, 1.33×10-3, and 8.44×10-7 g·m-2·d-1, respectively.

Keywords: self-propagating high-temperature synthesis plus quick pressing (SHS/QP), pyrochlore, thermal transmission, waste form, aqueous leachability

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Publication history

Received: 22 August 2017
Revised: 09 October 2017
Accepted: 27 October 2017
Published: 28 December 2017
Issue date: March 2018

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© The author(s) 2017

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