Large-Scale Synthesis and Applications of Hafnium-Tantalum Carbides

Comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies are performed to discover a new way of synthesis of Hf-Ta-C coatings. Here, an evolutionary search for stable crystal structures in the ternary Hf-Ta-C system with subsequent selective large-scale experimental synthesis of coatings using a unique plasma dynamic experimental setup is performed. Optimization of the experimental process allows us to perform selective synthesis of coatings made of hafnium-tantalum carbides with predefined stoichiometry, crystal structure, and properties. Along with more than 70 compounds, the Hf-Ta-C system belongs to ternary and quaternary carbides of group IV and V transition metals, and this study opens the door to synthesis of a large number of functional coatings composed of other carbides including high-entropy carbides.