Radiation stability of nano-crystalline yttria stabilized zirconia under swift heavy ions irradiation

As the world increases its reliance on nuclear energy, there has been a growth in the demand for new radiation tolerant materials that can withstand the harsh radiation environments of the nuclear industry. Ceramics, due to their outstanding physio-chemical properties, are extensively used in this field. The oxide ceramics employed in the hostile nuclear reactor environment are subjected to various high (fission fragments) and low (alpha recoils) energetic particles and are hence prone to undesirable radiation damages. It has been recently discovered that these materials in nano-dimension exhibits enhanced radiation tolerance as compared to their bulk counterparts. However, going to a highly nano-crystalline state might not be advantageous as the intense 'thermal spike effect' involved in nano-materials may lead to extensive damage. Thus, the radiation stability of nano-materials is still a matter of debate