Theoretical physicists at Linköping University play a crucial role in discovery of ultra hard material that can rival diamond

29 January 2024

Lejla Kronbäck

Research synergy from different fields, research institutes and countries has resulted in the discovery of near-unbreakable materials. These materials are long-sought after polymeric carbon nitrides predicted to rival the hardness of diamond, while showing a wide range of further properties with possible applications in a broad range of fields.

center of one of the diamonds from the diamond anvil cell pressed against the sample after decompression showing “break/indent” in the diamond with the sample, which indicates that the sample is at least of similar hardness — Experimental evidence of the superhardness of the C3N4 polymorphs, which indented the diamond anvils’ surface.

“The multi-functionality of these materials is as important as their predicted hardness, which may lead to their application in fields where diamond doesn’t offer desired combinations of properties”, says Florian Trybel, assistant professor at Linköping University, part of the discovery team and co-author to the article. “At the moment, the synthesis pressures and temperatures of these materials are too high to produce large quantities efficiently. Theoretical simulations will play an important role in predicting new synthesis pathways at less extreme pressure and temperature conditions. This will enable us to further investigate their outstanding properties and move towards industrially relevant scales.”, he adds.

The researchers stress that the international collaboration — led by experimentalists from the University of Edinburgh and the University of Bayreuth, as well as theorists from the Theoretical physics division at Linköping University — with diverse backgrounds and scientific fields was the key to a successful discovery. The article resulting from this discovery has been a success in its own right, receiving much attention, see Altmetric – Synthesis of Ultra‐Incompressible and Recoverable Carbon Nitrides Featuring CN4 Tetrahedra.

Article: Synthesis of Ultra-Incompressible and Recoverable Carbon Nitrides Featuring CN4 Tetrahedra; Dominique Laniel, Florian Trybel, Andrey Aslandukov, Saiana Khandarkhaeva, Timofey Fedotenko, Yuqing Yin, Nobuyoshi Miyajima, Ferenc Tasnádi, Alena V. Ponomareva, Nityasagar Jena, Fariia Iasmin Akbar, Bjoern Winkler, Adrien Néri, Stella Chariton, Vitali Prakapenka, Victor Milman, Wolfgang Schnick, Alexander N. Rudenko, Mikhail I. Katsnelson, Igor A. Abrikosov, Leonid Dubrovinsky, Natalia Dubrovinskaia; Advanced Materials, DOI: 10.1002/adma.202308030.

Written about this in other media:

Contact

Research environment

Theoretical Physics (TEOFY)

The research in the division of Theoretical Physics is focused on analyzing and explaining existing experimental observations, makeing a systematics of the generated knowledge, and using the knowledge for novel discoveries.

Workshop on Ontologies for Materials-Databases Interoperability (OMDI 2021)

In the field of materials science, the development of data-driven methods calls for a higher degree of standardisation. Welcome to the international workshop from Linkoping University, Sweden, October 5-7, 2021.

The quest for a deep understanding of iron and steels

Björn Alling have, together with colleagues and students, developed new methods for calculating mechanical properties of iron and steel all the way up to the temperatures when the metal glows from heat. The results are published in Physical Review B.

Artificial intelligence reveals new materials

Artificial intelligence is helping researchers in their search for new useful materials. Researchers at LiU have discovered 90 previously unknown materials, which they predict can be created in the laboratory.

Latest news from LiU

Theopisti Stylianou-Lambert, guest professor in the name of Moa Martinson, stands in a preserved old engine room in Kåkenhus – part of the industrial landscape in Norrköping.

Researching forgotten workers through art

Theopisti Stylianou-Lambert explores how local archaeological workers in colonial-era Cyprus have been omitted from historical narratives. Her art-based research brings hidden stories to light and opens new ways of thinking.

AI reshapes research and doctoral education

AI has become an important part of research and doctoral education thanks to new tools that are constantly evolving. It creates new opportunities but also raises questions about integrity, data management and academic responsibility.

Unpackaged food can reduce emissions

How do consumers respond to unpackaged food? And how can the producers and supermarkets design solutions that rely less on single-use packaging? These are some questions explored by PhD student Elena Jiménez Romanillos.