Thermophysical study of neutron irradiated silicon nitride nanoparticles

Abstract

Silicon nitride (Si3N[Formula: see text] nanoparticles were irradiated with neutrons at different energy fluxes. Differential thermal analysis of non-irradiated and neutron irradiated samples was performed in the temperature range of 300–1400 K. Based on the obtained experimental results, relevant thermophysical parameters were calculated and discussed in detail. All analyses were comparatively discussed for non-irradiated and neutron irradiated nano-Si3N4 particles. On the basis of endotherms observed in DTA spectra, entropy and enthalpy in Si3N4 are interpreted in detail. Compared with the non-irradiated sample, slightly negative values of enthalpy indicate the formed [Formula: see text]P isotope due to neutron irradiation. In the mentioned temperature range, the values of the free Gibbs energy were calculated for all samples, and it was determined that it is varied around zero up to 600 K. Moreover, the effect of neutron transmutations on heat transfer in Si3N4 nanoparticles has been studied.