Study of the influence of the accumulated dose of damage in the near-surface layer on resistance to external influences associated with corrosion processes during high-temperature annealing

Abstract

Investigating the challenges associated with the structural and strength degradation of ceramic fuel cells, which hold significant potential for hydrogen production through electrolysis methods, is a current focus of research. Understanding the degradation processes and their occurrence rate is crucial in the assessment of the efficacy of these ceramics for applications in alternative energy production, specifically in the realm of hydrogen energy. The aim of this study is to ascertain the impact of doping ceramics with aluminum nitride NiAl2O4, irradiated with protons with a dose of approximately 50 dpa, on resistance to high-temperature degradation, and associated corrosive processes of oxidation and swelling, as well as migration processes of implanted hydrogen. Three types of ceramics were selected as objects for study: NiAl2O4 ceramics, NiAl2O4 ceramics stabilized with 0.05 M AlN, NiAl2O4 ceramics stabilized with 0.15 M AlN, that are distinguished by the formation of impurity phases in Al7O3N8, with an orthorhombic type of crystal lattice. As a result of hightemperature tests, it was observed that NiAl2O4 ceramics, when stabilized, exhibit reduced susceptibility to destructive alterations in strength characteristics, primarily attributed to the deformation distortion of the crystal structure caused by its swelling. These processes are associated with an augmentation in the thermal expansion of the crystal structure, manifested in the deformation swelling of the crystal lattice volume.