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At least 253 records · Page 14

Ta–Zr carbides: Synthesis advances via carbothermal reduction and defect evolution observed through transmission electron microscopy ion irradiation

The thermodynamic stability of six distinct compositions within the Zr—Ta—C ternary system is investigated in this study, marking the first report of their synthesis through carbothermic reduction in vacuum. A prolonged annealing process at 2200°C enabled high densification and phase equilibrium. Detailed phase identification and microstructural characterization through microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques revealed clear compositional trends and stable phase formations. Two compositions ((Ta 0.2 Zr 0.8 )C 0.6 and (Ta 0.5 Zr 0.5 )C 1 ) were selected for ion irradiation experiments using 200 keV Kr + at 600°C—representing the first-ever irradiation study on the Zr—Ta—C system. The findings indicated defect accumulation and nanoscale cavity formation without any evidence of amorphization, highlighting the system's structural stability under irradiation. Together, the synthesis and irradiation results provide a basis for further investigation of the system and suggest its relevance for applications under extreme environments.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Transmission electron microscopy of ion irradiated ODS MA956 samples

Oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloys are promising candidate materials for the next generation advanced nuclear reactors due to their superior irradiation resistance and mechanical properties. To better understand the effect of irradiation on MA956, it is essential to study higher dose (50-100 dpa) samples, so that the general trend of microstructural evolution and the resulting radiation-hardening can be deduced. Currently, ion irradiations are considered the only way to achieve doses beyond ~50 dpa in a practical time frame relevant to alloy and welding development programs. This dataset contains TEM characterization results of ODS MA956 samples that were ion irradiated under different conditions: Sample #5 (1.25 dpa at 190℃); Sample #9 (50 dpa at 190℃); Sample #15 (1.25dpa under 320℃); and Sample 17 (25 dpa at 320℃). TEM characterization focused on the irradiation induced defects (dislocation lines and loops) using the on-zone axis bright field STEM technique. These data were collected using a FEI Tecnai G2 F30 S/TEM at Microscopy and Characterization Suite (MaCS) at Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), Idaho Falls, ID. This project (ion irradiation and TEM studies) was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy under DOE Idaho Operations Office Contract DE-AC07-05ID14517 as part of Nuclear Science User Facilities award #18-14784 (PI: Ramprashad Prabhakaran, PNNL).

Prabhakaran, Ramprashad↗

Responses of indigenous microorganisms to soil incubation as viewed by transmission electron microscopy of cell thin sections.

Indigenous soil microorganisms were cultivated in their soil habitat with 50% moisture capacity at 30 C for two weeks. Changes in microorganism cells were studied by electron microscopy during incubation, with particular attention to the dormant cell growth and to the ability of cystlike cells to germinate and reencyst. The responses of various cell species to incubation conditions are described and illustrated by photomicrographs.

Bae, h. C.↗

Oxidation of metals and alloys in controlled atmospheres using in situ transmission electron microscopy and Auger spectrography

Single-crystalline thin films of copper were oxidized at an isothermal temperature of 425 C and at an oxygen partial pressure of .005 Torr in situ in a high-resolution electron microscope. The specimens were prepared by epitaxial vapor deposition onto polished 100 and 110 faces of rocksalt and mounted in a hot stage inside an ultra-high-vacuum specimen chamber of the microscope. Large amounts of sulfur, carbon, and oxygen were detected by Auger electron spectroscopy on the surface of the as-received films and were removed in situ by ion-sputter etching immediately prior to the oxidation. The nucleation and growth characteristics of Cu2O on Cu were studied. Results show that neither stacking faults nor dislocations are associated with the Cu2O nucleation sites. The growth of Cu2O nuclei is linear with time. The experimental findings, including results from oxygen dissolution experiments and from repetitive oxidation-reduction-oxidation sequences, fit well into the framework of an oxidation process involving (a) the formation of a surface-charge layer, (b) oxygen saturation in the metal and (c) nucleation, followed by surface diffusion of oxygen and bulk diffusion of copper for lateral and vertical oxide growth, respectively.

Rao, D. B.↗