Structural evolution and radiation shielding performance of nano-HfO2 doped lithium borotellurite glasses
Durmus, Hasan, Kilic, G., Ilik, E., Kavaz, E., Guler, Omer, 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.
- Journal
- RADIATION PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY
- Year
- 2026
- Volume
- 244
- ISSN
- 0969-806X
- eISSN
- 1879-0895
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2026.113831
- WoS UID
- WOS:001724435100001