Nano-phase separation and structural ordering in silica-rich mixed network former glasses

Mechanism of powellite crystallite expansion within nano-phase separated amorphous matrices under Au-irradiation

A fundamental approach was taken to understand the implications of increased nuclear waste loading in the search for new materials for long-term radioisotope encapsulation. This study focused on the formation and radiation tolerance of glass ceramics with selectively induced CaMoO₄ as a form to trap the problematic fission product molybdenum. Several samples were synthesised with up to 10 mol% MoO₃ within a soda lime borosilicate matrix, exhibiting phase separation on the nano scale according to thermal analysis, which detected two glass transition temperatures. It is predicted that these two phases are a result of spinodal decomposition with Si-O-Ca-O-Si and Si-O-Ca-O-B units, with the latter phase acting as a carrier for MoO₃. The solubility limit of molybdenum within this matrix was 1 mol%, after which crystallisation of CaMoO₄ occurred, with crystallite size (CS) increasing and cell parameters decreasing as a function of [MoO₃]. These materials were then subjected to irradiation with 7 MeV Au³⁺ ions to replicate the nuclear interactions resulting from α-decay. A dose of 3 × 10¹⁴ ions per cm² was achieved, resulting in 1 dpa of damage within a depth of ∼1.5 μm, according to TRIM calculations. Glasses and glass ceramics were then analysed using BSE imaging, XRD refinement, and Raman spectroscopy to monitor changes induced by accumulated damage. Irradiation was not observed to cause any significant changes to the residual amorphous network, nor did it cause amorphisation of CaMoO₄ based on the relative changes to particle size and density. Furthermore, the substitution of Ca²⁺ to form water-soluble Na₂/NaGd-MoO₄ assemblages did not occur, indicating that CaMoO₄ is resilient to chemical modification following ion interactions. Au-irradiation did however cause CaMoO₄ lattice parameter expansion, concurrent to growth in CS. This is predicted to be a dual parameter mechanism of alteration based on thermal expansion from electronic coupling, and the accumulation of defects arising from atomic displacements.