Study on the formation of rhenium borides by density functional calculations

The searching of hard and superhard materials is a hot topic in material science. Two known factors are fundamental to get high hardness: (1) high valence-electron density; and (2) high number of electron in covalent bonds. The 5d-transition metals comply with requirement (1); so, the task is to fulfill condition (2) without expanding its native structure. Supposedly this is possible by developing interstitial alloys with elements of moderate electronegativity, like boron and/or carbon. This idea materializes in the very hard ReB2, which scratches the surface of diamond. This work is a study in the formation of rhenium borides by density functional calculations. Here, we want to reveal the changes that would occur in the hexagonal close packed lattice of Re as B is inserted into its interstitial sites. We cover compositions in ReBx from x = 0 to x = 3 in x steps of 0.125. B is positioned in octahedral and tetrahedral interstices of Re, and for each arrangements we have calculated cell volume, cohesive energy, bulk modulus, valence electron concentration, and energy density.