Abstract
Using nickel added X70 steel as a sample material, we demonstrate that electron work function (EWF), which largely reflects the electron behavior of materials, could be used as a guide parameter for material modification or design. Adding Ni having a higher electron work function to X70 steel brings more “free” electrons to the steel, leading to increased overall work function, accompanied with enhanced e−–nuclei interactions or higher atomic bond strength. Young’s modulus and hardness increase correspondingly. However, the free electron density and work function decrease as the Ni content is continuously increased, accompanied with the formation of a second phase, FeNi3, which is softer with a lower work function. The decrease in the overall work function corresponds to deterioration of the mechanical strength of the steel. It is expected that EWF, a simple but fundamental parameter, may lead to new methodologies or supplementary approaches for metallic materials design or tailoring on a feasible electronic base.
Highlights
With rapid advance in material technology, material design has been required to rely on more fundamental principles
Considerable research has demonstrated that electron work function (EWF) could be such a parameter for the above-mentioned purpose
To further analyze variations in EWF, we examined the samples using Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS), from which their electron band structure and valence electron density can be determined[31]
Summary
With rapid advance in material technology, material design has been required to rely on more fundamental principles. Work function of a material is determined by its composition and the charge redistribution on its surface caused by a dipole layer[4,5] It is one of the fundamental electronic properties of metals, depending on both the bulk composition and surface condition. The work function is influenced by the surface condition, it fundamentally reflects the atomic interaction and is directly related to bulk properties[9,10,11] This parameter could be used to predict and evaluate mechanical properties of metals. The current research efforts are oriented to determination of the relation between EWF and mechanical properties of multi-phase alloys and explore application of EWF for realistic material design. The possibility of using EWF for multiphase alloy modification is discussed
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