Predictions of structural, electronic, mechanical, and thermodynamic properties of TMBCs (TM = Ti, Zr, and Hf) ceramics

In the present work, we have investigated the structural, electronic, elastic, and thermodynamic properties of transition‐metal boron‐carbon compounds (TMBCs) (TM = Ti, Zr, Hf) using the first‐principles calculations. The results showed that TMBCs are energetically and thermodynamically stable, and the sequence of phase stability is HfBC > ZrBC > TiBC. B‐C bonds can be formed in TMBCs ceramics due to the strong hybridization between B‐2 p and C‐2 p states. The elastic anisotropies of TMBCs were illustrated by elastic anisotropy indexes, 3D surface constructions, and 2D projections, and the results indicated that the sequence of elastic anisotropy is ZrBC > TiBC > HfBC. Finally, the calculated minimum thermal conductivities, based on the Clarke's and Cahill's models, of all TMBCs are anisotropic with the sequence of ZrBC > TiBC > HfBC.