Date of Award

6-16-2026

Thesis Type

Masters

Document Type

Dissertation

Divisions

Institute for Advanced Studies

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

Amidst the environmental changes and global warming, the pressure for generation of green energy is mounting. Electricity generation turbines utilize fossil fuel and thus contribute massively to greenhouse gas emissions and consequently global warming. Turbine companies and researchers are looking to operate turbines on hydrogen gas, a clean and green alternative. Hydrogen’s high heat of combustion, high flame temperature and diffusion into base metal present unique challenges for materials used in turbines. This study is related to development of an Metal/Ceramic Interpenetrating Phase Composite (IPC) and high entropy rare earth zirconate based A2B2O7 Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC). The IPC substrate was synthesized by synergistic sintering of Titania (TiO2) and Copper (Cu) particles. The TiO2 phase provided thermal stability, resilience and strength whereas the copper phase provided toughness, this observed unique combination of properties, option to tailor properties by varying composition and phase connectivity enhance thermomechanical stability under challenging environment posed by hydrogen turbines. To complement to IPC substrate, a multicomponent high entropy rare earth zirconate (HEREZ) having a generic formula of A2B2O7 has also been developed. The A sites are occupied by elements (Y, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Yb) and B site has been fixed by Zr. The mechanical and thermal properties of this HEREZ can be tailored by changing the element(s) at site A, thus providing flexibility to tailor properties. The severe lattice distortion, mass fluctuation scattering and oxygen vacancies thus increase thermal and mechanical properties of HEREZ. X-ray Diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used for identification and characterization of microstructure. Elastic Modulus, Fracture Toughness and Hardness were calculated using indentation method on Micro Vickers hardness tester. Thermal performance for material applications in advanced hydrogen turbines was evaluated novel hydrogen flame testing. The results indicate that IPC substrate’s microstructure exhibited homogenous distribution of phases, defect free interface between TiO2 and Cu phase , a continuous interpenetrating network of Cu was observed within the TiO2 phase. This provided excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability and thermal cyclic resistance to IPC substrate. The successful formation of HEREZ coating is verified by XRD, SEM is used for further characterization of microstructure. Mechanical aspects such as elastic modulus, fracture toughness and hardness are characterized by indentation methods. Hydrogen flame testing will be carried out evaluate the performance of coating in hydrogen turbines requiring with stringent requirements. This integrated substrate-coating system will address the critical performance limitations of conventional turbine materials and coatings, particularly under hydrogen combustion conditions. The synergy between the IPC substrate and the high entropy TBC ensures enhanced thermal protection, mechanical reliability, and long-term operational stability. This work provides the material solutions required for enabling efficient and reliable operation of hydrogen-fueled turbines, contributing to the broader goals of decarbonized energy systems and high-efficiency power generation.

Initial

khm

Additional Information

Dissertation (M.A.) – Institute for Advanced Studies, Universiti Malaya, 2026.

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