Synthesis of novel superhard B-C-N materials under high pressure and high temperature

The possibility to synthesize superhard materials from the light elements B, C, and N has attracted significant attention during the last century. Indeed, these elements can form multiple short and strong covalent bonds, thereby often displaying very high shear and bulk moduli (B0), both essential for achieving superhardness (Hv>40 GPa). The experimental studies have investigated only a small fraction of the chemical phase space—largely restricted to the binary systems—and pressure space, most often limited below 30 GPa. Therefore, the aim of this proposal is to investigate the B-C-N system up to pressures and temperatures of 130 GPa and 3000 K, in an effort to produce novel solids with remarkable properties. The new compounds’ crystal structure, along with their stability range and bulk modulus, will be determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction of polycrystalline samples. This proposal directly builds on top of our recent successes with the C-N system.