Abstract of 2005 ACS presentation

Lead-Bismuth Eutectic (LBE) is of international interest as a coolant in fast nuclear reactors. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to study the lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE)-induced corrosion of stainless steel and the mechanism by which the process occurs. The studies were conducted on stainless steel that had been reacted with LBE for varying lengths of time and at different temperatures. X-ray photoelectron lines of lead, bismuth, and other low concentration elements such as chromium were studied with respect to binding energies, linewidths and shapes, satellite structure, and spin-orbit features. The data have been compared to those of model compounds of elemental binary and ternary oxides that potentially form in the corrosion process. The chemistries and spectroscopy of possible metal oxides that can play a role in the corrosion are discussed. This work is funded through the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Transmutation Research Program administered by the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies (U. S. Department of Energy Advanced Fuel Cycle Program Grant No. DE-FG04-2001AL67358.)