Thermophysical property measurements and ion-implantation studies on CePO4

The thermal propel-ties and the response to fission-product damage of CePO4 were studied in view of its potential application as inert matrix for the transmutation of transuranium elements in nuclear reactors. The thermal expansion of CePO4 has been recorded from 293 K to 1323 K using X-rap diffraction. The reduced enthalpy increment of CePO4 has been measured by drop calorimetry from 474 K to 934 K, The laser flash technique was used to measure the thermal diffusivity between 300 K and 1150 K. Ion implantation studies were performed at 813 K with 72 MeV I-127 ions and at room temperature with 403 MeV Sn-116 ions. The results are not favourable for the use of CePO4 as inert matrix to incinerate actinides. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.