Thermal parameter investigation of nanocrystalline BN particles under the neutron irradiation

The thermal properties of nanocrystalline boron nitride (BN) particles are crucial for their use in high-temperature and radiation-resistant applications. However, the effects of neutron irradiation on these properties remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the thermal behavior of nanocrystalline BN particles before and after exposure to neutron irradiation, with a focus on changes in key thermo-physical parameters. To achieve this, we employed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine the Gibbs free energy of BN nanoparticles across a temperature range of 300 K to 1270 K. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was also used to examine phase transitions and potential amorphization processes that occur in the particles post-irradiation. Both enthalpy and entropy were calculated for the nanocrystalline BN system before and after neutron irradiation, with the results supported by theoretical models. Our findings reveal significant changes in the thermal properties of BN nanoparticles induced by neutron irradiation, including shifts in phase behavior and alterations in the thermodynamic parameters. These results provide a deeper understanding of the material's behavior under neutron irradiation, which is critical for optimizing the use of BN in nuclear and other high-radiation environments.