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Unveiling Swift Heavy Ion Track Morphology in Sr-Based High-Entropy Perovskites
Ashish Kumar Gupta1, Eva Zarkadoula2, Brianna L Musico3
1School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, United States.
ACS Nano
|January 10, 2026
Summary
High-entropy oxides exhibit unique ion track formation and enhanced stability under irradiation due to complex cation structures. This research reveals discontinuous tracks and suppressed defect migration in Sr(HE)O3, unlike conventional materials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nuclear Materials
- Solid State Chemistry
Background:
- High-entropy oxides (HEOs) offer tunable properties due to multiple cations on lattice sites, impacting their response to irradiation.
- Understanding atomic-level responses to energetic ion irradiation in HEOs is crucial for materials development but remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide atomic-level insight into irradiation-induced nanoscale phase transformations in perovskite-structured high-entropy oxides.
- To investigate the influence of high entropy on ion track formation and stability.
Main Methods:
- Irradiation of Sr(Zr0.2Sn0.2Ti0.2Hf0.2Nb0.2)O3 (Sr(HE)O3) with 774 MeV swift Xe ions.
- In situ atomic-resolution electron microscopy to observe ion track characteristics and stability.
- Comparison with SrTiO3 under identical irradiation conditions.
Main Results:
- Formation of discontinuous and partially recrystallized ion tracks in Sr(HE)O3, with reduced diameters compared to SrTiO3.
- Minimal lattice distortion (2-3 monolayers) at the crystalline-amorphous interface in Sr(HE)O3.
- High stability of amorphous/disordered regions in Sr(HE)O3 under subsequent electron irradiation, contrasting with recrystallization in SrTiO3.
Conclusions:
- High-entropy oxide chemistry fundamentally alters irradiation damage evolution by suppressing defect migration and recrystallization.
- Structural and chemical complexity in Sr(HE)O3 enhances the stability of ion tracks.
- Insights into defect formation and phase stability under extreme irradiation conditions are provided.
