The effect of point defect on mechanical properties of MoSi2

The effect of point defect on mechanical properties of MoSi2 has been investigated by the first-principles. The elastic constants, mechanical modulus, hardness and thermodynamic properties of MoSi2 with four different single point defects have been calculated. By comparing with the defect-free MoSi2, it is found that the bulk modulus/shear modulus ratio (B/G) of MoSi2 with a single point defect increases slightly while the Debye temperature decreases drastically, which indicates that MoSi2 with some point defects have relatively good ductility. The calculated three-dimensional (3D) contours of elastic modulus and these projections on the (001) and (010) planes show that the directionality of Young's modulus and shear modulus is unapparent for MoSi2 with a point defect (V-Mo, and Mo-Si) but it is relatively obvious for MoSi2 with V-Si and Si-Mo. It suggests that V-Si and Si-Mo can strengthen the anisotropy in elasticity. The electronic properties of C11(b) MoSi2 with different single point defects have been studied to reveal further the influencing mechanism of point defect on mechanical properties. This work should help reveal the interrelation between intrinsic defects and service performance of MoSi2.