Tuning hydrogen production during oxide irradiation through surface grafting

Abstract

Hydrogen production by radiolysis of water absorbed on solid is a major problem for nuclear waste management. In the present study, we demonstrate that controlling extreme surface properties of the irradiated material allows a direct tuning of the hydrogen production under irradiation. We achieve this control on a model system (silica fibers) using liquid phase atomic layer deposition (ALD) of titanium or zirconium oxide. The hydrogen production is strongly inhibited by the deposition of a subnanometric layer of titanium oxide, whereas it is amplified upon zirconium oxide grafting.