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Real-time growth studies of high-entropy alloy thin films: phase formation and stress evolution

Project description

Shedding light on the mechanisms of high-entropy alloy thin film formation

What do we know about high-entropy alloy (HEA) and high-entropy nitride (HEN) thin films? This is a relatively new area of research. HEAs and HENs are unique classes of materials that have a high degree of chemical complexity and a multicomponent nature. They are important because they have potential applications in a variety of fields, including aerospace, energy and electronics. In this context, the MSCA-funded GREAT project will investigate the physical processes involved in the early nucleation and growth stages of HEA and HEN thin films. Specifically, the project will use in situ and real-time electrical and optical nanoscale diagnostics, as well as ex situ post-growth microstructural evaluations. Two HEAs that find applications in areas of importance for society will be studied.

Objective

This project aims to gain physical knowledge on the mechanisms taking place during the early nucleation and growth stages of high-entropy alloy (HEA) and high-entropy nitride (HEN) thin films, hitherto only partly investigated by theoretical studies. The proposed experimental investigation is a unique, original approach that will rely on both the kinetics and the reactivity of the thin film growth process and will be achieved, for the first time in HEA/HEN films, using in situ and real-time electrical (sheet resistance) and optical (wafer curvature) nanoscale diagnostics, the latter being also capable to provide reliable information on the intrinsic stress of the produced material. Ex situ post-growth microstructural evaluation will be also considered, as well as the film synthesis conditions prevailing on their phase formation and mechanical properties. Two HEA that find applications in areas of importance for society will be studied: the CoCrFeMnNi and MoNbTaVW, which are archetypes of fcc- and bcc-forming systems, respectively. The former is the most studied HEA, known for its outstanding mechanical properties even in cryogenic environments, whereas the latter is an advanced refractory alloy with high-temperature strength and stability. This postdoctoral fellowship will be carried out by the applicant Felipe Cemin under the supervision of Prof. Gregory Abadias at Pprime Institute (host), CNRS/University of Poitiers/ISAE-ENSMA (Poitiers, France).

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01

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Coordinator

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE CNRS
Net EU contribution
€ 195 914,88
Address
RUE MICHEL ANGE 3
75794 Paris
France
Region
Ile-de-France Ile-de-France Paris
Activity type
Research Organisations
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Total cost
No data