Influence of Carbon Source on the Synthesis of Dysprosium Mononitride via Carbothermic Reduction Prior to Nitridation
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Scott Riley, Boise State University; Nathan Sakaguchi, Boise State University; Allyssa Bateman, Boise State University; and Dr. Brian Jaques, Boise State University
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
The Office of Nuclear Energy is investigating the recycling of transuranic elements recovered from spent nuclear fuel, like americium, for incorporation into advanced nuclear fuels. Americium oxide (Am_2O_3) is produced during recycling and converted to americium nitride (AmN), which has significantly higher actinide density and thermal conductivity compared with Am_2O_3, promoting longer fuel cycles and higher safety margins. The most common nitride synthesis process that is replicable at large scale is carbothermic reduction prior to nitridation (CTRN), where a powder mixture of Am_2O_3 and carbon is heated in a reduced-atmosphere, high-temperature furnace. This process can be studied via surrogate materials, which present a cost-effective way to benchmark procedures for radioactive materials. Dysprosium oxide (Dy_2O_3) is a non-radioactive surrogate for Am_2O_3 due to its similar high vapor pressure and crystal structure. Here, Dy_2O_3 is converted to dysprosium mononitride (DyN) via CTRN to investigate the influence of the carbon source on the reaction kinetics, which is crucial for producing high-purity nitride compounds. DyN was synthesized with CTRN using three different carbon sources: spherical glassy carbon (SGC), carbon black, and graphite. The furnace profile was benchmarked with SGC, which resulted in nearly phase-pure DyN at temperatures 200 °C lower than comparative literature. These results can be applied to future synthesis of nitride nuclear fuels.
Influence of Carbon Source on the Synthesis of Dysprosium Mononitride via Carbothermic Reduction Prior to Nitridation
The Office of Nuclear Energy is investigating the recycling of transuranic elements recovered from spent nuclear fuel, like americium, for incorporation into advanced nuclear fuels. Americium oxide (Am_2O_3) is produced during recycling and converted to americium nitride (AmN), which has significantly higher actinide density and thermal conductivity compared with Am_2O_3, promoting longer fuel cycles and higher safety margins. The most common nitride synthesis process that is replicable at large scale is carbothermic reduction prior to nitridation (CTRN), where a powder mixture of Am_2O_3 and carbon is heated in a reduced-atmosphere, high-temperature furnace. This process can be studied via surrogate materials, which present a cost-effective way to benchmark procedures for radioactive materials. Dysprosium oxide (Dy_2O_3) is a non-radioactive surrogate for Am_2O_3 due to its similar high vapor pressure and crystal structure. Here, Dy_2O_3 is converted to dysprosium mononitride (DyN) via CTRN to investigate the influence of the carbon source on the reaction kinetics, which is crucial for producing high-purity nitride compounds. DyN was synthesized with CTRN using three different carbon sources: spherical glassy carbon (SGC), carbon black, and graphite. The furnace profile was benchmarked with SGC, which resulted in nearly phase-pure DyN at temperatures 200 °C lower than comparative literature. These results can be applied to future synthesis of nitride nuclear fuels.