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

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Zhuo Chen
  • Yong Huang
  • Nikola Koutná
  • Zecui Gao
  • Davide Sangiovanni
  • Simon Fellner
  • Georg Haberfehlner
  • Paul H. Mayrhofer
  • Gerald Kothleitner

External Organisational units

  • Erich Schmid Institute of Materials Science
  • Institute of Materials Science and Technology
  • Linköping University
  • Technische Universität Graz
  • Zentrum f Elektronenmikroskopie Graz

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.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number8387
Number of pages11
JournalNature Communications
Volume14.2023
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Dec 2023