*David Eitan Barlaz¹, Eliran Hamo², Brian A. Rosen², David N. Ruzic^1
1University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL; ² Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Transition metal carbides (TMCs) play a critical role in the functionality of many engineered systems related to energy storage, as well as applications requiring corrosion resistance, high temperature and strength. The underlying physics regulating the material properties of TMCs is controlled by its structure and chemistry at both the atomic and mesoscales. Unconventional carbide phases recently published have shown the ability to access enhanced electronic conductivity, catalytic activity, and mechanical properties. HiPIMS provides a transformative approach to non-metal systems such as carbides. A metastable alloy of TMCs will have the ion energy of deposited atoms controlled precisely by the magnitude of the “kick pulse” (positive voltage at the end of the waveform). In carbide systems especially, this kick is needed since the energy required to alloy metals may be low while the implant energy for the carbon to form an interstitial carbide in the lattice may be significantly higher, and variable with the alloy of choice. The authors report on the formation of previously inaccessible metastable Mo/Ta/Zr carbide alloys and their stability in electrochemical systems. Tailored alloys offer improved electrochemical corrosion resistance in excess of 100 mV compared to traditional carbide alloys formed by sintering.