Advancing Radiation-Tolerant Coatings for Extreme Environments: Challenges and Innovations

The field of materials science is increasingly focused on developing advanced materials capable of withstanding extreme environments, such as those found in high-pressure steam systems, solar thermal storage, and accident-tolerant nuclear fuel assemblies. The current challenge lies in the fact that no single material can meet all of the requirements for these demanding conditions, leading to a surge in research on composite materials that offer both corrosion resistance and high-temperature durability. The concept of "defense in depth" as defined by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, emphasizes the need for multiple layers of protection in power plants, which has further driven the need for innovative materials.

Recent studies have explored the potential of ceramics and composites to meet these demands, but challenges remain, particularly in ensuring compatibility between coatings and substrates. The brittleness of ceramic coatings poses significant issues, such as de-bonding and corrosion at failure cracks, highlighting the need for further research into more resilient solutions, such as self-healing ceramics.

This Research Topic aims to explore the development and application of radiation-tolerant coatings for use in extreme environments, such as the nuclear fuel cycle. The primary objective is to investigate ceramics, composites, and their substrates that can effectively combine the refractory and corrosion resistance of ceramics with the ductility and formability of metals.

Key questions to be addressed include how to enhance the compatibility between coatings and substrates, how to address the brittleness of ceramic coatings, and how to develop self-healing properties in these materials. By tackling these questions, this Research Topic seeks to advance the understanding and application of these materials in extreme environments.

We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Nuclear alloys
• Self-healing ceramics
• High-temperature ceramics
• High entropy alloy ceramics
• SiC/SIC composites
• MAX phases
• Coating methods.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review

Keywords: coatings, radiation damage, corrosion, ceramics, nuclear fuel, radiation tolerance, nuclear alloys, MAX phases, coating methods

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.