Chemically Graded Metal/Ceramic Interfaces

Abstract for RPS

Interface by definition is two-dimensional (2-D) as it separates 2 phases with an abrupt change in structure and chemistry across the interface. The interface between a metal and its nitride is expected to be atomically sharp, as chemical gradation would require the creation of N vacancies in nitrides and N interstitials in metal. Contrary to this belief, using first-principles density functional theory (DFT), we establish that the chemically graded Ti/TiN interface is thermodynamically preferred over the sharp interface. DFT calculated N vacancy formation energy in TiN is 2.4 eV, and N interstitial in Ti is -3.8 eV. Thus, diffusion of N from TiN to Ti by the formation of N vacancy in TiN and N interstitial in Ti would reduce the internal energy of the Ti-TiN heterostructure. We show that diffusion of N is thermodynamically favorable till ~23% of N has diffused from TiN to Ti, resulting in an atomically chemically graded interface, which we refer to as a 3-D interface. Experiments' inability to identify a 3-D interface in Ti/TiN could be attributed to limitations in identifying chemical composition and structure with atomic-level resolution at interfaces. We define the sum of N vacancy formation energy and N interstitial formation energy as driving-force, which could be used as a convenient way to assess the possibility of forming a 3-D interface in metal/ceramic heterostructures. We also show gradual variation in lattice parameters and mechanical properties (like bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young’s modulus, and hardness) across the Ti/TiN interface. 3-D interfaces open a new way to control properties of metal/ceramic heterostructures, in line with the already established advantage of gradation at interfaces in micrometer length scale. For widely explored Ti/TiN multilayer nano-heterostructures, the possibility of forming 3-D interface could lead to enhanced wear and erosion resistance.We will use the concept of driving force to predict the possibility of chemically gradation in technologically and scientifically important metal and ceramics (carbides, nitrides, and oxides).