Abstract
Ultrasonic transducers are often used in the nuclear industry as sensors to monitor the health and process status of systems or the components. Some of the after-effects of the Fukushima Daiichi earthquake could have been eased if sensors had been in place inside the four reactors and sensed the overheating causing meltdown and steam explosions. The key element of ultrasonic sensors is the piezoelectric wafer, which is usually derived from lead-zirconate-titanate (Pb(Zr, Ti)O3, PZT). This material loses its piezoelectrical properties at a temperature of about 200 °C. It also undergoes nuclear transmutation. Bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3O12, BiTi) has been considered as a potential candidate for replacing PZT at the middle of this temperature range, with many possible applications, since it has a Curie–Weiss temperature of about 650 °C. The aim of this article is to describe experimental details for operation in gamma and nuclear radiation concomitant with elevated temperatures and details of the performance of a BiTi sensor during and after irradiation testing. In these experiments, bismuth titanate has been demonstrated to operate up to a fast neutron fluence of 5 × 1020 n/cm2 and gamma radiation of 7.23 × 1021 (gamma/cm2). The results offer a perspective on the state-of the-art for a possible sensor for harsh environments of high temperature, Gamma radiation, and nuclear fluence.
Highlights
Current research and development are targeting the radiation endurance of transducers for possible sensors in reactors [1]
Bismuth titanate (BiTi) was discovered in 1949 by Bengt Aurivillius [2]. It is a bismuth layered ferroelectric oxide that belongs to the Aurivillius family—structures that are described by the formula (Bi2O2)2+ (Mn − 1RnO3n + 1)2−, where n is 1 to 6
Considerable effort has been expended in the development of sensors based on single-crystal wafers, with good success, such as aluminum nitride [18,19,20,21]
Summary
Current research and development are targeting the radiation endurance of transducers for possible sensors in reactors [1]. Bismuth titanate (BiTi) has been viewed favorably because of its potential to replace ferroelectrics such as lead-zirconate-titanate (Pb(Zr, Ti)O3, PZT) for application in high-temperature and radiation environments. This paper describes the details and conclusions of a long-term test of bismuth titanate (BiTi) in the high-temperature and nuclear radiation environment of a nuclear test reactor. Bismuth titanate (BiTi) was discovered in 1949 by Bengt Aurivillius [2]. It is a bismuth layered ferroelectric oxide that belongs to the Aurivillius family—structures that are described by the formula (Bi2O2)2+ (Mn − 1RnO3n + 1)2−, where n is 1 to 6. AArrttiissttiicc rreennddeerriinngg ooff tthhee MMIITTRR rreeaaccttoorr ccoorree [[1144]]. The bismuth titanate (BiTi) sensor is shown in yellow [14].
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