Structure property relationship in $(TiZrNbCu)_{1-x}Ni_x$ metallic glasses

TL;DR

This study investigates how atomic and electronic structures, along with physical properties, of $(TiZrNbCu)_{1-x}Ni_x$ metallic glasses evolve with Ni content, revealing significant changes at x ≥ 0.35.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of structure-property relationships in high-entropy metallic glasses with varying Ni concentrations, highlighting a transition point at x ≥ 0.35.

Findings

Structural and electronic properties change notably at x ≥ 0.35.

Physical properties such as thermal stability and electronic transport are concentration-dependent.

Electronic density of states and atomic packing vary with Ni content.

Abstract

The atomic structure, electronic structure and physical properties of $(TiZrNbCu)_{(1-x)}Ni_x$ (x $\leq$ 0.5) metallic glasses (MG) were studied in both the high-entropy (0<x<0.35) and the higher Ni concentration range (x $\geq$ 0.35). Atomic structure studies performed with X-ray diffraction and synchrotron powder diffraction provided average atomic volumes, structure factors, radial distribution functions, coordination numbers and packing densities. Electronic structure studies performed using photoemission spectroscopy and low-temperature specific heat provided information about the electronic density of states within the valence band and at the Fermi level and also about interatomic bonding and atomic vibrations (from the Debye temperature and the boson peak). Variations of both atomic structure and electronic structure with x showed a clear change for x $\geq$ 0.35, which corresponds to a valence electron number $\geq$ 7.4. All physical properties, namely thermal stability parameters, Debye temperatures, boson peaks, magnetic, elastic and electronic transport properties change their concentration-dependence for x$\geq$ 0.35. The results are compared with those for binary and ternary MGs of the same elements.