first-principles study on the structural stability and segregation behavior of γ-fe/cr2n interface with alloying additives m (m = mn, v, ti, mo, and ni)

This study investigated the structural stability and electrochemical properties of alloying additives M (M = Mn, V, Ti, Mo, or Ni) at the γ-Fe(111)/Cr2N(0001) interface by the first-principles method. Results indicated that V and Ti were easily segregated at the γ-Fe(111)/Cr2N(0001) interface and enhanced interfacial adhesive strength. By contrast, Ni and Mo were difficult to segregate at the γ-Fe(111)/Cr2N(0001) interface. Moreover, the results of the work function demonstrated that alloying additives Mn reduced local electrochemical corrosion behavior of the γ-Fe(111)/Cr2N(0001) interface by cutting down Volta potential difference (VPD) between clean γ-Fe(111) and Cr2N(0001), while alloying additives V, Ti, Mo, and Ni at the γ-Fe(111)/Cr2N(0001) interface magnified VPD between clean γ-Fe(111) and Cr2N(0001), which were low-potential sites that usually serve as local attack initiation points.