AGR fuel corrosion: SIMFUEL-based method development in preparation for electrochemical studies of real spent AGR nuclear fuel electrode

Abstract Electrochemical corrosion of lower-activity spent fuel simulants, SIMFUELs, has been investigated in support on-going analogous studies a real AGR nuclear electrode. Two electrode coupling methods have investigated, to study the sample 25 GWd/tU SIMFUEL pellet 20/25/Nb cladding replicate setup. Method-1 involves individual standalone electrodes, while Method-2 and within same For both methods, open circuit potentials linear sweep voltammetry measurements were conducted electrolyte solutions containing 30 μmol/m 3 NaCl, dosed with NaOH pH 8, 11.4 12.5. Resultant data compared single-component electrodes. presents inconsistent electrochemical behaviour which we attribute pitting/crevice effects on cladding, whereas shows consistent that most resembles component. Graphical abstract