Theoretical study of the pressure-induced structure, phase transition, mechanical and electronic properties in the V-N system

TL;DR

This study systematically explores high-pressure phases and properties of the V-N system, discovering new compounds, phase transitions, and evaluating mechanical and electronic characteristics through theoretical methods.

Contribution

It introduces four new high-pressure V-N phases and provides detailed analysis of phase transitions and mechanical properties, advancing understanding of V-N under pressure.

Findings

Four new high-pressure V-N phases identified

V$_2$N$ undergoes multiple phase transitions at specific pressures

Vickers hardnesses of VN and VN$_2$ are around 25-37 GPa

Abstract

Stable compounds in the V-N system are systematically searched and four new high-pressure phases are found, including C2/m-V$_9$N, Pbam-V$_5$N$_2$, Pnma-V$_2$N and I4/mcm-VN$_2$. V$_2$N undergoes a phase transition from $\varepsilon$-Fe$_2$N-type V$_2$N (P$\bar{3}$1m) to $\zeta$-Fe$_2$N-type V$_2$N (Pbcn) at 10 GPa and to Fe$_2$C-type V$_2$N (Pnnm) at 59 GPa, then to Pnma-V$_2$N at 96 GPa. Low-temperature tetragonal VN is theoretically proved to belong to space group P$\bar{4}$2m. The estimated Vickers hardnesses and fracture toughness of WC-type VN are around 37 GPa and 4.3-6.1 MPa m$^{1/2}$, respectively. Al$_2$Cu-type VN$_2$ (I4/mcm) with a Vickers hardness of 25-27 GPa and fracture toughness of 3.6-6.6 MPa m$^{1/2}$ also shows excellent mechanical properties. Elastic properties of WC-type mononitrides of transition metals from IVB group (Ti, Zr and Hf), VB group (V, Nb and Ta) and VIB (Cr, Mo and W) are calculated and compared. Both the bond strength and structural configuration determine the mechanical properties of a material.