Abstract
In this study, deuterium retention properties of SiC/SiC composites irradiated by deuterium ions at different temperatures in the range from 293 K to 923 K were investigated with thermal desorption spectroscopy, and the relationship between deuterium retention and the change of atomic composition was examined. Thermal desorption spectra of D2 showed two major peaks which was regarded as deuterium released from its Si-D and C-D bonds, respectively. At the irradiation temperature of 673 K, the ratio of the amounts of desorbed D2 at lower desorption peak (Si-D bond) increased compared to the room temperature case, owing to the decrease in carbon composition at the surface. On the other hand, at the irradiation temperatures at 823 and 923 K, the ratio of the amounts of desorbed D2 at higher desorption peak (C-D bond) increased, and the hydrocarbon desorption also increased. The present data suggests that the fuel hydrogen retention properties of SiC/SiC composites are significantly affected by the surface temperature.
