Synthesis, characterization and thermal expansion studies on DyEuTi₂O₇

The high neutron capture cross sections of Dy and Eu makes their compounds suitable candidate for the use as control rod materials in nuclear reactors. Materials used in nuclear reactors are subjected to high temperature, steep temperature gradients and intense radiation fields during irradiation. Measurement of thermal expansion on nuclear materials as a function of temperature is therefore required to understand the thermo-physical behaviour during irradiation in nuclear reactor. DyEuTi₂O₇ was synthesized by powder metallurgy route. Stoichiometric amounts of dysprosium, europium and titanium oxide powders were mixed for about 1 hour in an agate mortar. The homogeneous powder mix was compacted at a pressure of 500 MPa, using a uniaxial hydraulic press to get 10 mm diameter and 2 mm thick pellets. The pellets were initially sintered at 1073 K for 6 hours in air. The pellets were subsequently ground to get fine powder that was compacted again and heated at 1473 K for 8 hours to get the final sintered pellets