Date of Graduation
Fall 2019
Degree
Master of Science in Materials Science
Department
Physics, Astronomy, and Materials Science
Committee Chair
Ridwan Sakidja
Abstract
We present a computational study of amorphous boron carbide (a-BxC) models using Molecular Dynamics (MD) studied with Stillinger-Weber (SW) and ReaxFF potential. The atomic structure factor (S(Q)), radial distribution function (RDF) and bond lengths comparison with other experimental and ab initio models shows that a random arrangement of icosahedra (B12, B11C) interconnected by chains (CCC, CBC) are present in a-BxC. Afterward, Hybrid Reverse Monte Carlo (HRMC) technique is used to recreate a-BxC structures. The existing SW potential parameters of Boron are optimized for the α-rhombohedral (Icosahedral B12) boron structure using potential energy minimization and incorporated into HRMC. The a-BxC modeled from MD simulation is used as a sample for experimental input parameters like RDF, S(Q), coordination environments (CO), bond angle distribution (B(θ)) and bond length (BL) to guide initial configuration and simulation in HRMC. An accurate agreement of structural information between HRMC and MD generated models was found. Also, we have modeled the amorphous hydrogenated boron carbide (a-BxC:Hy) material using MD simulation to determine the structural characteristics of experimentally prepared a-BxC:Hy using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. The simulated a-BxC:Hy models are characterized for RDF, S(Q), B(θ), CO, Structural units (SU), and CO information. The key structural features of a-BxC:Hy is mapped out with the density, hydrogen concentration and the stoichiometry of experimentally prepared films prepared using single-source precursor ortho-carborane.
Keywords
α-rhombohedral boron, amorphous boron carbide, hydrogenated boron carbide, molecular dynamics, HRMC, Stillinger-Weber potential, ReaxFF, short-range order
Subject Categories
Ceramic Materials | Condensed Matter Physics | Materials Chemistry | Other Materials Science and Engineering
Copyright
© Rajan Khadka
Recommended Citation
Khadka, Rajan, "Study of Amorphous Boron Carbide and Hydrogenated Boron Carbide Materials Using Molecular Dynamics and Hybrid Reverse Monte Carlo" (2019). MSU Graduate Theses. 3455.
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/3455
Open Access
Included in
Ceramic Materials Commons, Condensed Matter Physics Commons, Materials Chemistry Commons, Other Materials Science and Engineering Commons