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Electrochemical, SECM, and XPS Studies of the Influence of H2 on UO2 Nuclear Fuel Corrosion

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

Michael E. Broczkowski ,
R. Zhu ,
Z. Ding ,
J.J. Noël  and
D.W. Shoesmith
Michael E. Broczkowski
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8
R. Zhu
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8
Z. Ding
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8
J.J. Noël
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8
D.W. Shoesmith
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5B8
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Abstract

A combination of electrochemical, scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS), and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF - SIMS) techniques are being employed to investigate the effects of dissolved hydrogen on the aqueous corrosion of uranium dioxide (UO2) under nuclear waste disposal conditions. Corrosion potential (ECORR) measurements indicate that the oxidation of dissolved hydrogen on noble metal ε-particles polarizes the UO2 nuclear fuel surface to reducing potentials (−300 – −400 mV vs. SCE; i.e., to ECORR values more negative than those observed under anoxic (argon-purged) conditions (−200 mV vs. SCE). A comparison of the behaviors observed on SIMFUEL specimens with and without incorporated noble metal ε-particles indicate that these particles may act as catalytic electrodes for H2 oxidation. It is the galvanic coupling of these particles to the UO2 matrix which suppresses the fuel corrosion potential thereby preventing oxidation of the fuel surface.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 932: Symposium – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXIX , 2006 , 75.1
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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References

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