The efficient fabrication of uranium-based liquid fuels and the structural integrity of reactor materials are critical challenges for the deployment of chloride-based molten salt reactors (MSRs). As part of KAERI’s ongoing MSR development, this study investigates an optimized uranium chlorination process and a corrosion assessment of candidate structural materials under conditions more closely resembling actual reactor cores. To enhance process efficiency and scalability, metallic uranium was converted into uranium trihydride (UH3) via hydriding, achieving 34.1% efficiency. UH3 was chlorinated with ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), yielding uranium trichloride (UCl3) with a conversion rate over 98% and purity above 99%, as confirmed by ICP-OES. The UCl3 was used to fabricate various uranium-based liquid fuels for MSR applications. Simultaneously, the corrosion behavior of SS304, SS316, and Hastelloy-N was evaluated using a natural convection loop filled with a NaCl– MgCl2 eutectic salt mixture. The system operated for 500 hours at 500–580°C to replicate MSR conditions. Corrosion analysis revealed that SS304 suffered severe degradation, SS316 showed moderate resistance, and Hastelloy-N demonstrated superior stability, although some cold leg samples experienced mass gain due to corrosion product deposition. These findings provide key insights into optimizing liquid fuel synthesis and selecting corrosion-resistant materials for safe, long-term MSR operation.

목적 : 본 연구는 세륨(IV)-지르코늄(IV) 산화물 나노입자를 사용하여 콘택트렌즈를 제조한 후, 안의료용 기능성 렌즈로의 사용 가능을 확인 위해 제조된 렌즈의 물성을 비교 분석하였다. 방법 : 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate에 나노 세륨-지르코늄 산화물(cerium(IV)-zirconium(IV) oxide)을 첨가하여 공중합 한 후 물성을 측정하고, 친수성 단량체인 methacrylic acid(MA)를 추가로 첨가하여 물성을 측정, 비교하였다. 결과 : 다양한 비율의 세륨(IV)-지르코늄(IV) 산화물 나노입자와 MA를 첨가한 렌즈의 물성을 평가한 결과, UV-B 투과율은 40.95~66.26%, 굴절률 1.4163~1.4357, 함수율 37.44~47.18%, 접촉각 36.87~56.36°, 인장 강도 0.0612~0.561 kgf/mm², 표면거칠기 7.70~8.72 nm로 각각 측정되었다. 나노입자 및 MA 첨가는 습윤성, 인장강도 및 중합안정성을 향상시키고, UV-B 투과율과 표면거칠기를 감소시켰으며, 황색포도상구균에 대한 항균 성이 확인되었다. 결론 : 세륨(IV)-지르코늄(IV) 산화물 나노입자에 MA를 첨가하여 제조한 렌즈가 중합 안정성, 내구성, 습윤성 을 향상시키는 것을 확인하였으며, 따라서 안의료용 기능성 콘택트렌즈 소재로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

A scintillator using organic materials can be easily manufactured in various shapes and sizes to suit the user’s purpose. A quantum dot (QD)-based scintillator has a number of advantages over commercial scintillators, including emission wavelength control, high-purity emission of a specific wavelength, high photoluminescence efficiency, and good photostability. The organic scintillators doping with various agents into the polymer media to increase scintillation efficiency and to control the emissioning wavelength through energy transfer process. In this study, scintillator enhancement was observed with different QDs material and detection response to gamma and neutron was investigated in energy spectrum. Multishell- structure QDs (CdS/CdZnS/ZnS) were fabricated and utilized to offset the shortcomings of single-shell-structure QDs, and the optical properties and the gamma and neutron detection performance capabilities were evaluated. The results of the evaluation of the detection response of the QD-based scintillator confirmed that the neutron/gamma classification performance was similar to that of a commercial scintillator. Furthermore, the gamma detection efficiency was improved by 34–38% (in the case of 137Cs) compared to a commercial scintillator. This study is especially notable in that the organic scintillator incorporated with the newly fabricated QDs can be utilized for gamma and neutron detection for the operation and decommissioning various nuclear facilities.

This study presents a cost-effective wet chemical coating process for fabricating a boron nitride (BN) interphase on silicon carbide (SiC) fibers, increasing the oxidation resistance and performance of SiCf/SiC ceramic matrix composites. Using urea as a precursor, optimal nitriding conditions were determined by adjusting the composition, concentration, and immersion time. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed distinct BN phase formation at 1300°C and 1500°C, while a mixture of BN and B2O3 was observed at 1200°C. HF treatment improved coating uniformity by removing SiO2 layers formed during the de-sizing process. Optimization of the boric acid-to-urea molar ratio resulted in a uniform, 130-nm-thick BN layer. This study demonstrates that the wet coating process offers a viable and economical alternative to chemical vapor deposition for fabricating high-performance BN interphases in SiCf/SiC composites that are suitable for high-temperature applications.

Light-weight ceramic insulation materials and high-emissivity coatings were fabricated for reusable thermal protection systems (TPS). Alumina-silica fibers and boric acid were used to fabricate the insulation, which was heat treated at 1250 °C. High-emissivity coating of borosilicate glass modified with TaSi2, MoSi2, and SiB6 was applied via dip-and-spray coating methods and heat-treated at 1100°C. Testing in a high-velocity oxygen fuel environment at temperatures over 1100 °C for 120 seconds showed that the rigid structures withstood the flame robustly. The coating effectively infiltrated into the fibers, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. Although some oxidation of TaSi2 occurred, thereby increasing the Ta2O5 and SiO2 phases, no significant phase changes or performance degradation were observed. These results demonstrate the potential of these materials for reusable TPS applications in extreme thermal environments.

Ceramic materials have become essential due to their high durability, chemical stability, and excellent thermal stability in various advanced industries such as aerospace, automotive, and semiconductor. However, high-performance ceramic materials face limitations in commercialization due to the high cost of raw materials and complex manufacturing processes. Aluminum borate (Al₁₈B₄O₃₃) has emerged as a promising alternative due to its superior mechanical strength and thermal stability, despite its simple manufacturing process and low production cost. In this study, we propose a method for producing Al₁₈B₄O₃₃ spherical powder with increased uniformity and high flowability by controlling the particle size of B₂O₃. The content ratio of the manufactured Al18B4O33 spherical powder was Al2O3: B2O3 = 87:13, and it exhibited a 17% reduction in the Hausner ratio (1.04) and a 29% decrease in the angle of repose (23.9°) compared to pre-milling conditions, demonstrating excellent flowability.

본 연구에서는 산 폐수에서 효율적인 산-금속이온 분리를 위한 전기투석 공정에 적용할 수 있는 1가 이온에 대한 높은 선택성을 가진 양이온 교환막의 제조에 관한 연구를 수행하였다. 설폰산기를 가진 sodium 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate (NaSS), 포스폰산기를 가진 vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) 단량체 및 가교제를 비대칭 구조의 다공성 지지체에 충진하고 in-situ 광중합을 통해 세공충진 양이온 교환막을 제조하였다. 제조된 세공충진 양이온 교환막은 상용막 대비 이온교환용량이 다소 낮았으나 실제 응용에 적합한 수준의 전기적 저항 및 기계적 물성을 나타내었다. 다양한 NaSS:VPA 몰 비율로 제조된 세공충진 양이온 교환막과 상용막(CSE, Astom, Japan)의 H+/Fe2+ 혼합용액에서의 선택투과도를 측정한 결과 NaSS:VPA = 25:75 조건에서 가장 우수한 선택투과도를 확인하였으며 이는 상용막 대비 10 이상 높은 값이었다. 또한 최적 조건의 제조막 을 이용한 H+/Fe2+ 혼합용액의 전기투석 결과 상용막 대비 우수한 산-금속 이온 분리 성능을 확인할 수 있었다. 이온전도성이 우수한 설폰산기와 금속이온에 대한 결합력이 강한 포스폰산을 함께 도입한 양이온 교환막은 Fe2+ 이외에도 산 폐액으로부터 다양한 유가 금속이온을 분리하는 데 효과적일 것으로 기대된다.