Refractory Oxides with Tunable Porosity and Geometry as Versatile Fast-Release Solid Catchers for Rare Isotopes

Short-lived isotopes are expected to play a key role in unravelling the unanswered questions in nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics and fundamental interactions at low energies. The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), planned for construction in the US, will have unique capabilities for development of exotic beams to support these studies. The DOE FRIB program is seeking advances in hot catcher techniques to improve yields of rare isotopes as atomic or single-species molecular vapors. This project would develop yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) aerogels and porous YSZ monoliths with tunable meso- and macroporous microstructures and geometry. These refractory, porous materials will facilitate trapping radioactive isotopes for the efficient release of single-species molecular vapors. The project will focus on developing a fast- release, highly efficient hot catcher material to support FRIB requirements. Commercial applications and other benefits: The microstructure of the porous YSZ monoliths would serve as a fast-release catcher material for short-lived rare isotopes for nuclear physics experiments in astrophysics. These solid catchers are expected to offer more stopping power than the traditional gas catchers. Rare isotopes also have contributions in nuclear medicine suited to both diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A secondary market includes aerogels in insulation, fuel storage and in capacitors for energy storage. Metals and metal oxide- coated aerogels find applications in catalysis and in environmental decontamination.