Chemical and Biological Engineering ETDs

Publication Date

Spring 4-15-2024

Abstract

A rare earth metal, gadolinium has unique magnetic properties and the largest neutron absorption cross section making it highly sought after in emerging technology. However, unlike most metals, it is difficult to work with and lacks a damascene process. When incorporated into alloys, gadolinium’s properties are muted and the film thickness must increase to account for the low concentration. Gadolinium metal films have been deposited successfully through sputter coating, but these films have density deficiencies and are limited to line-of-sight substrates. In this work, the deposition of gadolinium metal thin films was investigated for use on complex geometries via electrophoretic deposition, electrochemical deposition and particle sedimentation. Electrochemical analysis was performed on various systems and gadolinium films were successfully deposited. A key deliverable for the project included testing the films in a neutron beamline with thermal neutrons; this was completed in August 2022 at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center.

Keywords

Gadolinium, electrochemistry, electrodeposition, neutrons, NPCI

Sponsors

Sandia National Laboratories

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Chemical Engineering

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Chemical and Biological Engineering

First Committee Member (Chair)

Fernando Garzon

Second Committee Member

Abhaya Datye

Third Committee Member

Lok-kun Tsui

Third Advisor

Jamin Pillars

Fourth Committee Member

Adrian Brearley

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