Enhancing Thermal Conductivity of SiC Matrix Pellets for Accident-Tolerant Fuel via Atomic Layer Deposition of Al 2 O 3 Coating

Yumeng Zhao, Wenqing Wang, Jiquan Wang (), Xiao Liu, Yu Li, Zongshu Li, Rong Chen () and Wei Liu
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Yumeng Zhao: CNNC Key Laboratory on Fabrication Technology of Reactor Irradiation Special Fuel Assembly, Baotou 014035, China
Wenqing Wang: School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Jiquan Wang: CNNC Key Laboratory on Fabrication Technology of Reactor Irradiation Special Fuel Assembly, Baotou 014035, China
Xiao Liu: School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Yu Li: CNNC Key Laboratory on Fabrication Technology of Reactor Irradiation Special Fuel Assembly, Baotou 014035, China
Zongshu Li: CNNC Key Laboratory on Fabrication Technology of Reactor Irradiation Special Fuel Assembly, Baotou 014035, China
Rong Chen: School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Wei Liu: China North Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd., Baotou 014035, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-14

Abstract: This study investigates the enhancement of thermal conductivity in silicon carbide (SiC) matrix pellets for accident-tolerant fuels via atomic layer deposition (ALD) of alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) coatings. Pressure-holding ALD protocols ensured precursor saturation, enabling precise coating control (0.09 nm/cycle). The ALD-coated Al 2 O 3 layers on SiC particles were found to be more uniform while minimizing surface oxidation compared to traditional mechanical mixing. Combined with yttria (Y 2 O 3 ) additives and spark plasma sintering (SPS), ALD-coated samples achieved satisfactory densification and thermal performance. Results demonstrated that 5~7 wt.% ALD-Al 2 O 3 + Y 2 O 3 achieved corrected thermal conductivity enhancements of 14~18% at 100 °C., even with reduced sintering aid content, while maintaining sintered densities above 92% T.D. (theoretical density). This work highlights ALD’s potential in fabricating high-performance, accident-tolerant SiC-based fuels for safer and more efficient nuclear reactors, with implications for future optimization of sintering processes and additive formulations.

Keywords: SiC-based coated particle dispersed fuel; atomic layer deposition; Al 2 O 3 sintering aid; accident tolerant fuel (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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