Sonatina NCN M. Gawęda

Dr Magdalena Gawęda

Dr Magdalena Gawęda will lead the NCB SONATINA 7 project Amorphous silicon oxycarbide-based protective coatings on steel for cladding materials in nuclear reactors . The scientific project aims to develop amorphous protective coatings based on silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) to enhance the radiation tolerance and high-temperature stability of structural elements within nuclear reactors. The interest in this material arises from its favourable mechanical properties, strong adhesion to metallic substrates, chemical and thermal stability, and radiation tolerance with resistance to helium bubble formation, all of which result from its unique structure. SiOC is a two-phase material consisting of an amorphous silica-based matrix with oxygen ions partially substituted by carbon, along with a graphite-like disordered free carbon phase. The exact composition, particularly carbon content and ionic modifications, must be precisely controlled to ensure desirable properties.

In this project, she will prepare materials using the so-called polymer-derived ceramics method. This will involve the pyrolysis of self-synthesized ladder-like silsesquioxanes with designed carbon and iron content (as an additional matrix modifier) deposited on AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel. The work will cover comprehensive structural, microstructural, and mechanical analyses of SiOC coatings with varying carbon content and iron ionic modifications. A thorough examination will be conducted both before and after irradiation with light and heavy ion, as well as in-situ at elevated temperatures. The results will yield fundamental research of high scientific significance, directly applicable to the capabilities of the alloy/SiOC composite in resisting the harsh environment of nuclear reactors.

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Dr Magdalena Gawęda


This project has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation
programme under grant agreement No 857470 and from European Regional Development Fund
via Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agenda PLUS programme grant
No MAB PLUS/2018/8.
Poland
The project is co-financed from the state budget within the framework of the undertaking of the Minister of Science and Higher Education "Support for the activities of Centers of Excellence established under Horizon 2020".

Grant: 5 143 237,70 EUR
Total value: 29 971 365,00 EUR
Date of signing the funding agreement: December 2023

The purpose of the undertaking is to support entities of the higher education and science system that have received funding from the European Union budget in the competition H2020-WIDESPREAD-2018-2020/WIDESPREAD-01-2018-2019: Teaming Phase 2. in the preparation, implementation and updating of activities, maintenance of material resources necessary for carrying out activities, acquisition and modernization of scientific and research apparatus, maintenance and development of personnel potential necessary for the implementation of activities, and dissemination of the results of scientific activities.