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Main Authors: Lyu, Guanlin, Sun, Yuguo, Gao, Panpan, Qian, Ping
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.20408
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author Lyu, Guanlin
Sun, Yuguo
Gao, Panpan
Qian, Ping
author_facet Lyu, Guanlin
Sun, Yuguo
Gao, Panpan
Qian, Ping
contents Elements with low thermal neutron absorption cross-sections are ideal for enhancing structural materials in nuclear systems. In this study, We systematically investigate the segregation and co-segregation behaviors of eleven elements at the Σ7(0001) twist grain boundary in yttrium and their effects on stability and strength. The Σ7(0001) grain boundary exhibits weakening, with fracture occurring preferentially along path I. Segregation energy calculations show that Si, Cu, Cr, Mo and Fe prefer interstitial sites, while others occupy substitutional ones. Si, Al, Zn, Cu, Mg and Fe stabilize the boundary, while Mo, Fe, Si, Cr, Cu, Nb and Ti strengthen it, with Si offering the most balanced improvement. Co-segregation studies reveal that Si induces the enrichment of other solutes at the boundary, promoting synergistic stabilization and turning embrittling elements (Al, Mg, Zn, Zr) into strengthening agents. Electronic structure analysis shows that Si-Y covalent bonds enhance electron localization, and Si+Mg co-segregation optimizes electronic distribution through metallic-covalent cooperation, significantly improving fracture resistance. The density of states analysis indicates new low-energy deep states in the Si, and Si+Al, Si+Mg systems, which lower grain boundary energy and improve stability. This study provides guidance for designing high-performance, low-neutron-absorption Y-based alloys.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2511_20408
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Tuning Yttrium Σ7(0001) Twist Grain Boundary Properties through Segregation and Co-segregation of Low Neutron Absorption Elements: First-Principles Insights
Lyu, Guanlin
Sun, Yuguo
Gao, Panpan
Qian, Ping
Materials Science
Elements with low thermal neutron absorption cross-sections are ideal for enhancing structural materials in nuclear systems. In this study, We systematically investigate the segregation and co-segregation behaviors of eleven elements at the Σ7(0001) twist grain boundary in yttrium and their effects on stability and strength. The Σ7(0001) grain boundary exhibits weakening, with fracture occurring preferentially along path I. Segregation energy calculations show that Si, Cu, Cr, Mo and Fe prefer interstitial sites, while others occupy substitutional ones. Si, Al, Zn, Cu, Mg and Fe stabilize the boundary, while Mo, Fe, Si, Cr, Cu, Nb and Ti strengthen it, with Si offering the most balanced improvement. Co-segregation studies reveal that Si induces the enrichment of other solutes at the boundary, promoting synergistic stabilization and turning embrittling elements (Al, Mg, Zn, Zr) into strengthening agents. Electronic structure analysis shows that Si-Y covalent bonds enhance electron localization, and Si+Mg co-segregation optimizes electronic distribution through metallic-covalent cooperation, significantly improving fracture resistance. The density of states analysis indicates new low-energy deep states in the Si, and Si+Al, Si+Mg systems, which lower grain boundary energy and improve stability. This study provides guidance for designing high-performance, low-neutron-absorption Y-based alloys.
title Tuning Yttrium Σ7(0001) Twist Grain Boundary Properties through Segregation and Co-segregation of Low Neutron Absorption Elements: First-Principles Insights
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.20408