Influence of Metal Substitution and Ion Energy on Microstructure Evolution of High-Entropy Nitride (TiZrTaMe)N1-x (Me = Hf, Nb, Mo, or Cr) Films

• Multicomponent or high-entropy ceramics show unique combinations of mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties of importance in coating applications. However, generalizing controllable thin-film processes for these complex materials remains a challenge. Here, understoichiometric (TiZrTaMe)N1-x (Me = Hf, Nb, Mo, or Cr, 0.12 <= x <= 0.30) films were deposited on Si(100) substrates at 400 degrees C by reactive magnetron sputtering using single elemental targets. The influence of ion energy during film growth was investigated by varying the negative substrate bias voltage from similar to 10 V (floating potential) to 130 V. The nitrogen content for the samples determined by elastic recoil detection analysis varied from 34.9 to 43.8 at. % (0.12 <= x <= 0.30), and the metal components were near-equimolar and not affected by the bias voltage. On increasing the substrate bias, the phase structures of (TiZrTaMe)N1-x (Me = Hf, Nb, or Mo) films evolved from a polycrystalline fcc phase to a (002) preferred orientation along with a change in surface morphology from faceted triangular features to a dense and smooth structure with nodular mounds. All the four series of (TiZrTaMe)N1-x (Me = Hf, Nb, Mo, or Cr) films exhibited increasing intrinsic stress with increasing negative bias. The maximum compressive stress reached similar to 3.1 GPa in Hf- and Cr-containing films deposited at -130 V. The hardness reached a maximum value of 28.0 +/- 1.0 GPa at a negative bias >= 100 V for all the four series of films. The effect of bias on the mechanical properties of (TiNbZrMe)N1-x films can thus guide the design of protective high-entropy nitride films.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Annan materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Other Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi -- Materialkemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences -- Materials Chemistry (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

high-entropy alloy

understoichiometry

texture

residual stress

hardness

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