D-depth profiling in as-implanted and annealed Li-based breeder blanket ceramics

In future power plants (i.e. DEMO), the nuclear fusion of hydrogen isotopes will be used for energy production. The behaviour of hydrogen isotopes in lithium-enriched ceramics for breeder blankets (BBs) is one of the most important items to be understood. In this paper we present the chemical, microstructural and morphological features of Li4SiO4, Li2TiO3 and a third ceramic candidate with a higher Li:Si proportion (3:1), implanted with D at an energy of 100 keV and at room temperature at a fluence of 1 x 10(17) cm(-2). The D depth-profile in as-implanted and annealed ceramics (at T <= 200 degrees C) was characterised by Resonance Nuclear Reaction Analysis (RNRA). The RNRA data indicate that the total amount of D is retained at room temperature, while annealing at 100 degrees C promotes D release and annealing at T >= 150 degrees C drives D to completely desorb from all the studied ceramics. D release will be discussed as a function of the microstructurural and morphological features of each material. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.