Large mechanical properties enhancement in ceramics through vacancy-mediated unit cell disturbance

Zhuo Chen, Yong Huang, Nikola Koutná, Zecui Gao, Davide Sangiovanni, Simon Fellner, Georg Haberfehlner, Shengli Jin, Paul H. Mayrhofer, Gerald Kothleitner, Zaoli Zhang

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungBegutachtung

Abstract

Tailoring vacancies is a feasible way to improve the mechanical properties of ceramics. However, high concentrations of vacancies usually compromise the strength (or hardness). We show that a high elasticity and flexural strength could be achieved simultaneously using a nitride superlattice architecture with disordered anion vacancies up to 50%. Enhanced mechanical properties primarily result from a distinctive deformation mechanism in superlattice ceramics, i.e., unit-cell disturbances. Such a disturbance substantially relieves local high-stress concentration, thus enhancing deformability. No dislocation activity involved also rationalizes its high strength. The work renders a unique understanding of the deformation and strengthening/toughening mechanism in nitride ceramics.
OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer8387
Seitenumfang11
FachzeitschriftNature Communications
Jahrgang14.2023
Ausgabenummer1
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 16 Dez. 2023

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