Phase stability and mechanical properties of tungsten borides from first principles calculations

Abstract

The phase stability and mechanical properties of tungsten borides W(2)B, WB, WB(2), W(2)B(5) and WB(4) were extensively studied by first-principles calculations within density functional theory. The thermodynamic and mechanical stabilities were examined. Our calculations on the enthalpy-pressure relationship and convex hulls have demonstrated that at zero pressure, the experimentally observed W(2)B-W(2)B (W(2)B-W(2)B represents W(2)B in W(2)B structure type, the same hereinafter) and WB-WB, and assumed WB(2)-ReB(2) phases are stable against decomposition into other components. The estimated hardness of WB(2)-ReB(2) is 39.4 GPa, suggesting that it is a potentially hard compound. At 60 GPa, the most stable phases are WB-WB and WB(2)-WB(2). WB-WB, WB(2)-AlB(2) and WB(4) are the ground state phases at 100 GPa. The phase transition mechanism for WB(2) was discussed. The synthesis of WB(2)-AlB(2) could be conducted at high pressures.