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Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere.
Dissertation (MSc (Physics))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613632738623488 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Thabethe, Thabsile T. |
| author_browse | Thabethe, Thabsile T. |
| author_facet | Thabethe, Thabsile T. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 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. |
| description | Dissertation (MSc (Physics))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100927 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:14.512Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100927 Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere. Thabethe, Thabsile T. tshepisokadi1@gmail.com Langa, Dolly Frans Ntsoane, Tshepo Paul Kadi, Tshepiso Bridget UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Zirconium carbide Ion implantation Europium Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel X-ray diffraction (XRD) Dissertation (MSc (Physics))--University of Pretoria, 2024. This 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. National Research Foundation (NRF) Physics MSc (Physics) Unrestricted Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences SDG-07: Affordable and clean energy 2025-02-14T12:32:28Z 2025-02-14T12:32:28Z 2025-04 2024-12 Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100927 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28417292 en © 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. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Zirconium carbide Ion implantation Europium Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel X-ray diffraction (XRD) Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere. |
| title | Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere. |
| title_full | Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere. |
| title_fullStr | Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere. |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere. |
| title_short | Microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere. |
| title_sort | microstructural characterization of zirconium carbide implanted with europium ions and annealed in a hydrogen atmosphere |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable development goals (SDGs) Zirconium carbide Ion implantation Europium Tri-structural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel X-ray diffraction (XRD) |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100927 https://doi.org/10.25403/UPresearchdata.28417292 |