Synthesis, structural characterization, and radiation interaction behaviour of (ErSmGdYPr)2Hf2O7 high-entropy oxide powder: A preliminary investigation for potential applications in nuclear environments

This study represents an initial investigation toward exploring the multifunctional potential of the (ErSmGdYPr)2Hf2O7 high-entropy oxide as a thermal barrier coating (TBC) material in radiation environments. Therefore, the evaluated parameters should be considered as a preliminary step rather than a complete representation of the material’s overall performance in such complex applications. In this context, (ErSmGdYPr)₂Hf2O7 powders were synthesized through high-energy ball milling of commercial rare-earth oxide precursors followed by calcination at different temperatures. Structural evolution during synthesis was investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and thermal analysis techniques. The results confirmed the formation of a defective fluorite-type high-entropy oxide structure after calcination at elevated temperatures, accompanied by homogeneous elemental distribution and stable ceramic microstructures. In addition to structural characterization, the radiation interaction behaviour of the synthesized material was evaluated through gamma-ray attenuation parameters and fast neutron removal cross-section analysis. The obtained results indicate that the presence of multiple rare-earth elements provides favorable interaction characteristics with both photons and fast neutrons. These findings highlight the potential of this high-entropy oxide as a precursor for multifunctional coating materials. However, it should be noted that this work represents a preliminary powder-level investigation, and further research on actual coating deposition and thermal testing is required to validate its service performance.