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Metal oxide-doped (Th0.95Ce0.05)O2 pellets via sol-gel microsphere technique: Sintering kinetics, microstructure, and dopant effects
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DOI：10.1016/j.pnucene.2026.106490.png)
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Abstract
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This study presents the sol-gel synthesis of metal oxide-doped (Th0.95Ce0.05)O2 microspheres (MgO, CaO, V2O5, Ti2O3, Cr2O3, Al2O3) and evaluates their sintering behavior. The resulting pellets exhibited high relative densities and improved densification characteristics compared with literature data for the undoped system. Process optimization during pre-neutralization, gelation, aging, washing, and drying produced crack-free microspheres with well-defined spherical morphology. Thermal (TG/DTA), structural (XRD), microstructural (SEM), surface (BET/BJH), and compositional (ICP-MS/ICP-OES) analyses confirmed thermal stability, retention of the fluorite-type cubic structure, and good agreement between theoretical and measured compositions. Kinetic analysis revealed dopant-dependent sintering mechanisms, with V2O5 promoting pronounced grain growth and MgO significantly enhancing densification. The results demonstrate a clear relationship between dopant chemistry, diffusion-controlled mass transport, and microstructural evolution, providing practical guidance for the design and processing of next-generation thorium-based nuclear fuel ceramics.
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