Ab Initio Predictions of Strong Interfaces in Transition-Metal Carbides and Nitrides for Superhard Nanocomposite Coating Applications

Chongze Hu, Jingsong Huang, Bobby G. Sumpter, Efstathios Meletis, Traian Dumitricǎ

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Conceiving strong interfaces represents an effective direction in the development of superhard nanocomposite materials for practical applications in protective coatings. In the pursuit of engineering strong nanoscale interfaces between cubic rock-salt (B1) domains, we investigate using density functional theory (DFT) coherent interface models designed based on hexagonal (HX) NiAs and WC structures, as well as experiment. The DFT screening of a collection of transition-metal (M = Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta) carbides and nitrides indicates that the interface models provided by the HX polymorphs store little coherency strain and develop an energetic advantage as the valence-electron concentration increases. Our result suggests that harnessing the polymorphism encountered in transition-metal (M = Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta) carbides and nitrides for interface design represents a promising strategy for advancing superhard nanomaterials.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2029-2035
Number of pages7
JournalACS Applied Nano Materials
Volume1
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 25 2018

Keywords

  • coherent interfaces
  • density functional theory
  • mechanical properties
  • nanocomposites
  • superhard materials
  • transition-metal carbides and nitrides

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