Structural analysis of oxidized Cr2O3-doped UO2 fuel

This proposal deals with the study of the Cr2O3-doped UO2 pellet microstructure evolution at high temperature and as a function of the oxygen partial pressure. We aim to couple XANES U L3 edge and XRD measurements in order to characterize the evolution of UO2 lattice parameter (linked to the Cr and O atoms insertion in the lattice) and to identify the crystalline phases formed in the pellets, especially under the effect of oxidative atmosphere.