Monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO2) serves as a crucial barrier against radionuclide release in nuclear fuel Zircaloy cladding, yet the effects of minor actinide incorporation and chemical reactivity remain unclear. Here, the authors reveal that americium enters m-ZrO2 tetravalently with limited solubility and influences phase transformations, offering insights into behavior of minor actinides in spent nuclear fuel materials.
- Gabriel L. Murphy
- Sara Gilson
- Nina Huittinen
