Designing new radiation hard MAX phase coatings by understanding irradiation damage at the atomic scale

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

MAX Phases consist of alternating atomic layers of ceramic and metals. These have the chemical formula Mn+1AXn, where M is an early transition metal, A is an element from the IIIA or IVA groups, X is carbon or nitrogen, and n = 1, 2, or 3. Due to their unique crystal structure, MAX phases combine many attractive properties of both ceramics and metals. These properties include high temperature stability, high stiffness, good electrical and thermal conductivity, fracture toughness, thermal shock resistance, and machinability. These materials have great promise as radiation hard materials which could form protective coatings needed to enable Fusion to be realized on a large scale.The resistance of MAX phases to fusion reactor-like temperatures and radiation levels has not been explored in depth until now - much more information is required to understand the effect of different elemental compositions and dose rates. I will be utilising a range of high resolution equipment to understand radiation damage mechanisms in MAX phases with different compositions. I will explore the atomic structure of these layered materials in their pristine state and as a function of irradiation damage and damage temperature. This will be used to generate a better understanding of structure-property relationships and to optimize future materials with the goal of creating a truly radiation hard coating.