High-performance multifunctional(Hf^(0.2)Nb_(0.2)Ta_(0.2)Ti_(0.2)Zr_(0.2))C high-entropy ceramic reinforced with low-loading 3D hybrid graphene–carbon nanotube

There has been growing interest in the high-entropy ceramic(HEC)recently owing to its tailorable compositions and microstructures,versatile properties,together with promising structural and functional applications.However,inferior fracture toughness(KIC)and damage tolerance restricted many practical applications of the HEC.Herein,we addressed this challenge by incorporating a threedimensional graphene–carbon nanotube(3D G–CNT)as toughening agent in(Hf_(0.2)Nb_(0.2)Ta_(0.2)Ti_(0.2)Zr_(0.2))C.The resulting enhanced 3D G–CNT/(Hf_(0.2)Nb_(0.2)Ta_(0.2)Ti_(0.2)Zr_(0.2))C featured an outstanding toughness of 8.23 MPa·m^(1/2),while remaining superior strength(763 MPa)and hardness(24.7 GPa).An ultralow friction coefficient(0.15)coupled with an ultralow wear rate(w,2.6×10^(−7) mm^(3)/(N·m))in the 3D G–CNT/(Hf_(0.2)Nb_(0.2)Ta_(0.2)Ti_(0.2)Zr_(0.2))C was obtained primarily as a function of lubricating scrolls,in which two-dimensional(2D)graphene acted as a tribolayer,and one-dimensional(1D)carbon nanotubes acted as nano ball bearings embedded inside.Strikingly,the 3D G–CNT/(Hf_(0.2)Nb_(0.2)Ta_(0.2)Ti_(0.2)Zr_(0.2))C exhibited rather low thermal conductivity(κ)yet excellent electrical conductivity(σ,1.3×10^(6) S/m)in comparison with the pure(Hf_(0.2)Nb_(0.2)Ta_(0.2)Ti_(0.2)Zr_(0.2))C.This study provided great potential for maximizing the physical and functional properties of the HEC for various applications.

Progress in densification and toughening of high entropy carbide ceramics

High entropy carbide ceramics(HECC)are solid solution of inorganic compounds with five or more prin-cipal metal cations.Research interests in HECC are dramatically sparked by the enormous possibilities in composition-microstructure-property tailoring.As widely acknowledged,HECCs enjoy higher hardness and oxidation/corrosion/wear resistance,as well as lower thermal conductivity than conventional engi-neering carbide ceramics,making them the most potential candidates for state-of-the-art structural and functional applications in extreme service conditions.Despite the advantages,however,the poor den-sification coupled with low fracture toughness significantly limited the practical applications of HECC.Adding to the difficulty,the literature available for toughening HECC is woefully limited.In considera-tion of this insufficiency,we apply towards offer a comprehensive,critical review of the mechanical be-havior of HECC,highlighting the densification enhancing strategies(carbon content,sintering techniques,grain size,sintering aids,etc.)as well as toughening methods including particle toughening,whisker/fiber toughening,synergistic toughening,graphene-carbon nanotube toughening,to further the service reliabil-ity of HECC in practical industrial applications.Furthermore,despite some significant successes,important directions for further development of HECC are given as multi-dimensional gradient HECC,additive man-ufacturing of HECC,processing-composition-microstructure-property relationship prediction and genomes of HECC based on machine learning,and high-throughput computing,etc.