PHASE-STABILITY OF NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS UNDER HEAVY-ION IRRADIATION

Nanocrystalline Pd and ZrO2 samples of theoretical density were irradi ated with 4 MeV Kr+ ions with doses up to 6.10(17) ions/cm(2.) The irr adiated samples were characterized by XRD, RBS, and TEM. Nanocrystalli ne ZrO2 shows no amorphisation and defect agglomeration after irradiat ion with Kr+ ions up to a dose of 2.10(17) ions/cm(2.) A phase transfo rmation from the monoclinic phase to a tetragonal phase could be obser ved. The comparison of irradiated n-Pd with a conventional polycrystal line Pd sample shows a reduced defect agglomeration in n-Pd. For n-Pd samples grain growth after irradiation experiments could be observed.