Electrophobic interaction induced impurity clustering in metals. (15th October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Hong-Bo; Wang, Jin-Long; Jiang, W.; Lu, Guang-Hong; Aguiar, J.A.; Liu, Feng
• Is Part Of: Acta materialia. Volume 119(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 8
• Publication Date: 2016-10-15
• Subjects: Electrophobic interaction -- Impurity clustering -- Metals; Materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Metallurgy -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 620.112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2016.08.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6454

Abstract

Abstract: We introduce the concept of electrophobic interaction, analogous to hydrophobic interaction, for describing the behavior of impurity atoms in a metal, a "solvent of electrons". We demonstrate that there exists a form of electrophobic interaction between impurities with closed electron shell structure, which governs their dissolution behavior in a metal. Using He, Be and Ar as examples, we predict by first-principles calculations that the electrophobic interaction drives He, Be or Ar to form a close-packed cluster with a clustering energy that follows a universal power-law scaling with the number of atoms ( N ) dissolved in a free electron gas, as well as W or Al lattice, as E c ∝ ( N 2/3 − N ). This new concept unifies the explanation for a series of experimental observations of close-packed inert-gas bubble formation in metals, and significantly advances our fundamental understanding and capacity to predict the solute behavior of impurities in metals, a useful contribution to be considered in future material design of metals for nuclear, metallurgical, and energy applications. Graphical abstract: