Defect distributions and transport in nanocomposites: A theoretical perspective

Nanomaterials are attracting great interest for many applications, including radiation tolerance. Most work on radiation effects in nanomaterials has focused on the interfaces. Here, we examine the other aspect of nanocomposites, the dual phase nature. Solving a reaction–diffusion model of irradiated composites, we identify three regimes of steady-state behavior that depend on the defect properties in the two phases. We conclude that defect evolution in one phase depends on the defect properties in the other phase, offering a route to controlling defect evolution in these materials. These results have broad implications for nanomaterials more generally.