Güler, Ömer; Güler, Seval Hale; Yayla, Nihal; Baykal, Duygu Sen; Durmus, Hasan; Tekin, Huseyin Ozan; ALMisned, Ghada

This study investigates the structural, microstructural, surface-chemical, and radiation attenuation behaviour of high-entropy rare-earth oxide (HEO) powder compositions synthesized as TBC-related candidate coating materials, whose radiation attenuation potential was assessed within a computational Inconel-718-based sandwich model. Four compositions, namely (GdErSmEuYb)2Hf2O7, (GdErSmEuYb)2Ce2O7, (GdErSmEuYb)2Zr2O7, and (GdErSmEuYb)2Si2O7, were synthesized via high-energy ball milling followed by calcination at 1200 °C. X-ray diffraction results revealed the formation of distinct crystal structures depending on B-site chemistry, including defective fluorite and silicate-type phases. SEM-EDS mapping confirmed homogeneous elemental distribution, while XPS analysis demonstrated mixed valence states and different oxygen vacancy concentrations across the compositions. To evaluate radiation attenuation performance, a sandwich-type geometry consisting of a 10 mm Inconel-718 core with symmetrically defined simulated HEO layers was modelled using Monte Carlo simulations. Gamma-ray transmission was analyzed over an energy range of 0.276-1.332 MeV, and fast neutron attenuation was assessed at 4.5 MeV. The results showed that transmission factors decreased with increasing coating thickness, with the effect being more pronounced at lower photon energies. Among the investigated compositions, the Hf-based system exhibited the most favorable predicted attenuation response for both gamma rays and fast neutrons under the defined simulation conditions. Theoretical half-value layer calculations also showed good agreement with the simulation results. Overall, the findings indicate that high-entropy rare-earth oxide coatings may provide an additional radiation attenuation contribution when incorporated as layers in Inconel-718-based systems. However, since direct thermal-barrier properties such as thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal cycling resistance, and thermal-stress behavior were not evaluated in the present work, the present study should be interpreted as a structural and radiation-transport assessment of TBC-related coating candidates rather than a direct demonstration of thermal-barrier performance.

İncele

Özkul, İskender; Güler, Ömer; Durmus, Hasan; Camgoz, Berkay; ALMisned, G.; Yaprak, Gunseli; Tekin, H.O.

This study examines how Er2O3 and B4C additions affect the structural, microstructural, mechanical, and gamma-ray attenuation behaviour of Ni–Co–Fe–Cr–Mo high-entropy alloy composites. Five samples, labelled S0–S4, were produced by vacuum arc melting with different single and combined reinforcement contents. Thermodynamic calculations showed that the metallic matrix meets the general conditions expected for solid-solution HEA formation. XRD results indicated that an FCC-based matrix remained dominant in all samples. Reflections related to Er2O3 were identified in the Er2O3-containing compositions, while several weak secondary reflections could not be assigned with certainty because of their low intensity and peak overlap. SEM-EDS analysis confirmed the presence of Er-, O-, B-, and C-containing regions and also revealed local compositional variations within the microstructure. The reinforcement additions produced a clear increase in microhardness, with the highest value of 693 ± 51 HV0.5 obtained for the hybrid-reinforced S3 sample. Gamma-ray attenuation was measured at 276, 302, 356, and 383 keV using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector under narrow-beam condition. S4 showed the lowest nominal transmission factor at most energies at its actual sample thickness. However, after correcting for thickness using the Beer-Lambert relationship, S2 generally showed the highest nominal linear attenuation coefficient, while S4 gave closely comparable values at several energies. Some of the differences between samples were within the propagated counting uncertainties and were therefore interpreted with caution. Overall, the results show that the composition giving the highest hardness does not necessarily provide the strongest thickness-normalized gamma-ray attenuation. The attenuation behaviour is influenced by several factors, including reinforcement composition, sample thickness, density, phase distribution, microstructural heterogeneity, and measurement uncertainty. These findings highlight the need to optimize reinforced HEA composites according to the specific mechanical and radiation-related property being targeted.

İncele

Durmus, Hasan; Kilic, G.; Ilik, E.; Kavaz, E.; Güler, Ömer; Birdogan, Selcuk; ALMisned, Ghada; Tekin, H.O.

This study investigates the structural evolution and radiation shielding performance of lithium borotellurite glasses reinforced with nano-sized HfO2. We report on the competitive dynamics between the depolymerizing nature of the Li + network modifier and the high field strength Hf4+ nano-dopant, a relationship not previously explored in this matrix. Structural analysis via XRD and TEM reveals that the glass remains fully amorphous with homogeneously dispersed Hf rich nanodomains up to 4 mol%. A critical solubility threshold is identified at 6 mol%, where the precipitation of HfO2 and HfTe3O8 crystalline phases marks a distinct transition from an amorphous state to a glass-ceramic microstructure. Physical property measurements indicate that Hf4+ ions primarily occupy interstitial free volumes, leading to enhanced material density without significant network dilation. The incorporation of nano-HfO2 significantly augments gamma-ray attenuation efficiency, particularly in the low-energy region, by substantially increasing the effective atomic number and reducing the half value layer. Furthermore, the glasses exhibit robust fast-neutron shielding capabilities, outperforming conventional materials such as graphite and B4C. These findings establish nano-HfO2 as a potent structural and radiative modifier, providing a novel roadmap for designing high-density, multifunctional glass-ceramic shields for advanced nuclear applications.

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İncele

Özkul, İskender; Güler, Ömer; Camgoz, Berkay; ALMisned, Ghada; Yaprak, Gunseli; Tekin, H.O.; Durmus, Hasan

This study investigates the structural, mechanical, and experimental gamma-ray attenuation properties of Fe-Co-Ni-Cr-W high-entropy alloy (HEA) composites reinforced with varying concentrations of Dy2O3 and B4C. A series of samples (S0-S4) was synthesized via vacuum arc melting to evaluate the synergistic effects of rare-earth oxide and carbide additions on a stable multi-component matrix. Thermodynamic assessments confirmed that the base alloy aligns with solid-solution formation criteria (1.61R configurational entropy, Ω = 10.33), which was experimentally validated by XRD patterns revealing a consistent FCC crystal structure across all compositions. SEM-EDS mapping further verified the successful integration of reinforcements as discrete secondary phases within the HEA matrix. Mechanical characterization showed that ceramic incorporation significantly enhances the hardness of the monolithic HEA, with the hybrid-reinforced S3 sample achieving a peak value of 628 HV. This improvement is attributed to the combined effects of oxide dispersion strengthening and microstructural refinement induced by B4C. Experimental gamma-ray transmission tests, conducted using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector in the 276-383 keV energy range, demonstrated that the S3 configuration provides the most efficient shielding performance, characterized by the lowest transmission factors. Interestingly, the results suggest that beyond an optimal threshold, increased reinforcement loading, as seen in S4 sample, may lead to minor performance trade-offs due to phase distribution dynamics. The findings highlight that the development of multifunctional HEA-based shields requires a delicate balance between reinforcement volume fraction and microstructural homogeneity to maximize both structural and shielding efficiency.

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İncele

Kilic, G.; Ilik, E.; Kavaz, E.; Durmus, Hasan; Güler, Ömer; Birdogan, Selcuk; ALMisned, Ghada; Tekin, H.O.

This study investigates the effects of holmium oxide (Ho2O3) microparticle reinforcement on the structural, physical, and radiation shielding properties of borotellurite glasses with compositions ranging from 0 to 12 mol% Ho2O3. X-ray diffraction and TEM analyses confirmed the retention of amorphous structure across all samples, with localized short-range ordering observed at higher Ho contents. Glass density increased from 4.598 to 5.202 g/cm3 with increasing Ho2O3, while molar volume expanded from 27.94 to 30.61 cm3/mol, and oxygen packing density decreased from 0.605 to 0.551 g/cm3, indicating network expansion due to the substitution of lighter Li + ions by heavier Ho3+. Gamma-ray shielding properties significantly improved with Ho incorporation. At 81 keV, the linear attenuation coefficient increased from 8.33 to 13.70 cm−1, and the mass attenuation coefficient improved from 2.066 to 2.735 cm2/g. Moreover, effective atomic number rose from 44.9 to 52.5 and half-value layer decreased by 20.5% at 383 keV, and buildup factors dropped by up to 34% at 0.5 MeV. Neutron dose absorption improved, and the fast neutron removal cross-section increased from 0.1066 to 0.1113 cm−1. These results confirm that Ho2O3 contributes as a highly effective multifunctional dopant, significantly enhancing both gamma-ray and neutron shielding performance of borotellurite glasses, one of the most promising glass systems for advanced radiation protection applications.

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İncele

Durmus, Hasan; Kilic, G.; Ilik, E.; Kavaz, E.; Güler, Ömer; Birdogan, Selcuk; ALMisned, Ghada; Tekin, H.O.

This study investigates the structural, physical, and radiation-shielding properties of nano-Gd2O3-reinforced lithium borotellurite glasses with the composition 50TeO2-30B2O3-(20-x)Li2O-xGd2O3 (x= 0-10 mol %). X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy confirmed the fully amorphous nature of the glasses and the homogeneous distribution of nanoscale Gd clusters. Density increased from 4.03 to 4.77 g/cm3, accompanied by compositional shifts, decreasing boron and increasing oxygen and tellurium contents, indicating enhanced structural compactness and electron density. Gamma-ray attenuation measurements revealed a 74 % increase in the linear attenuation coefficient from 8.33 to 14.53 cm−1 at 81 keV and a nearly 27 % reduction in the half-value layer from 1.21 to 0.89 cm. Effective atomic number values remained highest for Gd(n)10 across the photon energy range investigated. Experimental neutron dose measurements showed absorption improvements from 37.66 % to 51.91 %, while the effective removal cross-section increased from 0.1066 to 0.1096 cm−1, outperforming water, B4C, and graphite. Compared with the Gd-doped zinc borotellurite glasses reported in the literature, the present lithium-based system exhibited higher densification and superior dual γ-neutron attenuation. These results demonstrate that controlled nano-Gd2O3 integration into the lithium borotellurite matrix yields a stable, lead-free amorphous material with outstanding radiation-shielding efficiency for advanced photonic and nuclear applications.

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İncele

Durmus, Hasan; Özkul, İskender; Güler, Ömer; Güler, Seval Hale; Baykal, Duygu Sen; ALMisned, Ghada; Tekin, H.O.

In this study, a novel high-entropy rare-earth tungstate, (PrEuYLaSm)2(WO4)3, was synthesized by high-energy ball milling followed by calcination, and its structural, microstructural, thermal, gamma-ray, and neutron shielding properties were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction results revealed that ball milling induced partial amorphization of the initial oxide mixture, while calcination at 1100 °C promoted the formation of a single-phase monoclinic A2W3O12-type structure without detectable secondary phases. SEM-EDS mapping showed the homogeneous distribution of Pr, Eu, Y, La, Sm, W, and O throughout the synthesized material. Differential thermal analysis showed sequential desorption, crystallization, and structural ordering processes, together with the absence of sharp decomposition up to 1100 °C, indicating good thermal stability. Radiation shielding evaluation demonstrated that the synthesized high-entropy tungstate exhibited strong gamma-ray attenuation performance, with high mass attenuation coefficient values, low half-value layer values, and stable effective atomic number behaviour over a wide photon energy range. Although some individual oxides showed superior performance at specific energies, the high-entropy composition provided a more balanced shielding response overall. In neutron shielding, the material showed competitive fast neutron removal capability among oxide systems. It can be concluded that the multifunctional potential of (PrEuYLaSm)2(WO4)3 for competitive high-temperature and radiation shielding applications.

İncele

Durmus, Hasan; Kilic, Gökhan; Ilik, E.; Kavaz, Erkan; Güler, Ömer; Birdoğan, Selcuk; Almisned, Ghada; Tekin, Hüseyin Ozan

This study presents a systematic investigation of lithium borotellurite glasses reinforced with nano-Eu2O3, with the aim to enhance the structural stability and radiation shielding performance. Glasses were synthesized with Eu2O3 concentrations from 0 to 10 mol % and characterized through density, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the density increased steadily from 4.030 to 4.734 g/cm3 with the Eu addition, while the molar volume also expanded, indicating that the incorporation of larger Eu3+ ions induced network expansion alongside densification. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed amorphous structures for all the compositions except Eu(n)2, which exhibited local crystallinity, later suppressed at higher Eu levels. The transmission electron microscopy pictures and energy dispersive spectroscopy mapping showed homogeneous nanoparticle distribution without clustering. Gamma-ray attenuation studies demonstrated clear improvements with Eu doping: the linear attenuation coefficient increased from 8.33 cm−1 (Eu(n)0) to 12.42 cm−1 (Eu(n)10) at 81 keV, while the half-value layer values decreased, confirming superior low-energy absorption. Experimental neutron studies revealed ΣR values comparable to standard neutron moderators, with Eu(n)10 showing a favorable balance of gamma and neutron shielding. Limitations include the restricted photon energy window and single neutron source. Future work should extend testing to higher energies, thermal/epithermal neutron ranges, and mechanical and durability assessments. Overall, nano-Eu2O3 reinforcement provides a promising pathway toward multifunctional transparent shielding glasses.

İncele

Ilik, E.; Guler, Seval Hale; Güler, Ömer; Durmus, Hasan; Kavaz, E.; Birdogan, Selcuk; ALMisned, Ghada; Kilic, G.; Tekin, H.O.

This study investigates the influence of high entropy oxide (HEO) and high entropy alloy oxide (HEAO) dopants on the structural, optical, and radiation shielding properties of zinc-borate glasses. Two synthesis routes were employed through direct mechanical alloying of five rare-earth oxides such as Sm2O3, Ho2O3, Er2O3, Yb2O3, Gd2O3 to form (SmHoErYbGd)2O3 HEO, and mechanical alloying of the corresponding rare-earth metals followed by oxidation to produce HEAO of the same elemental composition. The central hypothesis proposed that the dopant structure and oxygen coordination, not just elemental presence, critically influence the on characteristic behaviors in terms of radiation attenuation. Structural analyses confirmed that HEAO-doped glasses exhibit more homogeneous, amorphous networks. Optical characterizations revealed red-shifted absorption edges and lower Urbach energies in HEAO samples, indicating reduced disorder. HEAO-doped glasses showed superior gamma-ray shielding, with higher linear attenuation coefficients and lower half-value layers than HEO or undoped samples. Most notably, HEAO glass achieved the highest fast neutron removal cross-section, surpassing water, graphite, and B4C. These findings demonstrate that rare-earth high entropy alloy oxides offer a structurally optimized pathway for designing next-generation multifunctional glasses for radiation-related applications.

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İncele

Kilic, G.; Durmus, Hasan; Birdogan, Selçuk; Ilik, E.; Perişanoğlu, Esra Kavaz; Saltık, Sevda; Guler, Ömer; ALMisned, Ghada; Tekin, H.O.

In this study, a novel series of nano-Sm2O3-doped lithium borotellurite glasses was synthesized and systematically investigated in terms of their structural, physical, and radiation shielding characteristics. X-ray diffraction confirmed the amorphous nature of all samples, while transmission electron microscopy revealed progressive nanoarchitectural refinement and particle growth with increasing Sm2O3 content, from uniformly dispersed nanodomains to dense agglomerates exhibiting short-range crystalline ordering. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and elemental mapping validated the homogeneous incorporation of boron, oxygen, tellurium, and samarium throughout the glass matrix without phase separation. Gamma-ray shielding evaluations showed enhanced mass attenuation coefficients and reduced half-value layers, particularly in the Sm(n)8 sample, with significant performance gains at lower photon energies. Neutron shielding assessments further indicated elevated macroscopic removal cross-section values and dose attenuation, affirming the compositional benefit of Sm2O3 for fast neutron mitigation. It can be concluded that nano-Sm2O3 incorporation would play a multifunctional role on structural and radioprotective properties in addition to morphostructural features of lithium borotellurite glasses.

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İncele

Kilic, G.; Ilik, E.; Kavaz, E.; Durmus, Hasan; Güler, Ömer; Birdogan, Selcuk; ALMisned, Ghada; Tekin, H.O.

This study investigates the incorporation of Pr6O11 nanoparticles into lithium borotellurite glass matrices to enhance their mechanical and radiation shielding properties. Glass compositions, synthesized with varying Pr6O11 concentrations from 0 to 8 mol%, exhibited increasing densities from 4.00783 g cm−3 to 4.94440 g cm−3 and reduced molar volumes, confirming nanoparticle-induced densification. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed amorphous structures with shifts in the hollow band indicating compact network rearrangements. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analyses confirmed homogeneous Pr distribution up to 6 mol%, with clustering observed in 8 mol% samples. Vickers’ microhardness values progressively increased, highlighting enhanced mechanical strength due to reduced non-bridging oxygen ions and network cross-linking. Gamma-ray shielding experiments demonstrated superior performance of the 8 mol% sample (Pr8), with the highest mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic number, and reduced half-value layer. Neutron attenuation assessments further confirmed improved shielding capabilities, with Pr8 achieving the highest effective removal cross-section. In conclusion, Pr6O11-doped lithium borotellurite glasses demonstrate significant potential for advanced radiation shielding applications.

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