Fabrication of CeO2 by sol-gel process based on microfluidic technology as an analog preparation of ceramic nuclear fuel microspheres

TL;DR

This paper presents a microfluidic sol-gel method to produce uniform CeO2 microspheres as a surrogate for nuclear fuel, with precise size control and detailed characterization.

Contribution

It introduces a microfluidic-based sol-gel process for fabricating monodisperse CeO2 microspheres, enabling precise size control and comprehensive characterization.

Findings

Particle size can be precisely controlled from 10μm to 1000μm.

Particle size distribution CV is below 3%.

The process provides a reliable analog for nuclear fuel microsphere preparation.

Abstract

Microfluidics integrated with sol-gel processes is introduced in preparing monodispersed MOX nuclear fuel microspheres using nonactive cerium as a surrogate for uranium or plutonium. The detailed information about microfluidic devices and sol-gel processes are provided. The effects of viscosity and flow rate of continuous and dispersed phase on size and size distribution of CeO2 microspheres have been investigated. A comprehensive characterization of the CeO2 microspheres has been conducted, including XRD pattern, SEM, density, size and size distribution. The size of prepared monodisperse particles can be controlled precisely in range of 10{\mu}m to 1000{\mu}m and the particle CV is below 3%.