Interactions between silver-palladium alloy and silicon carbide cladding layer in TRISO fuel: An in-depth analysis

High-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) have garnered considerable interest due to their superior efficiency and inherent safety. This study systematically investigates the interaction between silver-palladium (Ag-Pd) alloy and silicon carbide (SiC) coating in tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particles of HTGRs, focusing on the potential release of radioactive Ag-110 m through SiC cladding. Operating temperatures ranging from 800–1100 °C were examined to understand the mechanisms of Ag-Pd migration in SiC. Advanced techniques like transmission electron microscopy (TEM), focused ion beam (FIB) coupled with 3D visualization and scanning precession electron diffraction (SPED) integrated with machine learning were employed to identify two pathways of Pd-assisted Ag migration: (1) (Pd,Ag) ₂Si and (Pd,Ag) ₃Si acting as migration channels, and (2) Pd-rich phases increasing SiC disorder, enhancing Ag diffusion. Significantly, a carbon barrier formation above 1000 °C was observed, which inhibits Ag-Pd/SiC interaction. These findings offering new insights for predicting nuclear reactor lifespan and data support to optimize TRISO particles' structural design.