Effects of alpha irradiation on Nd2Zr2O7 matrix for nuclear waste forms

For application in nuclear waste management, it is essential to study the self-irradiation effect in long-term deep geological disposal repository. In this study, accelerated irradiation experiment was conducted on Nd2Zr2O7 pyrochlore matrix by using 0.5 MeV He2+ ions with fluences ranging from 1 × 1014 to 1 × 1017 ions/cm2. A series of results figure out that Nd2Zr2O7 matrix transforms from pyrochlore into fluorite after radiation experiment and some weak structural disordering is led with intensified irradiation. Moreover, the surface micrography shows slight changes after irradiation.