Large mechanical properties enhancement in ceramics through vacancy-mediated unit cell disturbance.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 38104109.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-023-44060-x and PMC identifier 10725508.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
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.