STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

International Journal of Crystalline Materials Review Article

Crystal Engineering Strategies for Tailoring Mechanical Properties of Structural Materials

  1. Neha Sahu Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth, Faridabad
  2. Rizwan Arif Department of Chemistry School of Basic & Applied Sciences, Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth, Faridabad

Abstract

Crystal engineering has emerged as a promising approach for designing materials with tailored mechanical properties, enabling advancements in various fields such as aerospace, automotive, and construction. This review examines the diverse strategies employed in crystal engineering to manipulate the mechanical behavior of structural materials. One key strategy involves controlling the crystal structure at the atomic level through techniques such as alloying, doping, and phase transformations. Alloying introduces foreign atoms into the crystal lattice, altering its mechanical properties by influencing factors such as strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. Doping, on the other hand, involves intentional substitution of atoms within the crystal lattice to enhance specific mechanical characteristics. Furthermore, the manipulation of grain boundaries and defects within crystalline materials offers another avenue for tailoring mechanical properties. Grain boundary engineering techniques enable the optimization of grain size and orientation to enhance strength, toughness, and fatigue resistance. Additionally, the deliberate introduction of defects, such as dislocations and vacancies, can significantly influence mechanical behavior by affecting deformation mechanisms and stress distribution. Nanostructuring represents a cutting-edge approach in crystal engineering, wherein materials are engineered at the nanoscale to impart unique mechanical properties. Nanomaterials exhibit superior strength-to-weight ratios and enhanced mechanical robustness due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio and unique deformation mechanisms. Moreover, advances in computational modeling and simulation techniques have greatly facilitated the design and optimization of crystal structures for specific mechanical properties. Molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory calculations provide valuable insights into the atomic-scale mechanisms governing material behavior, guiding the rational design of novel structural materials. In conclusion, crystal engineering offers a versatile toolkit for tailoring the mechanical properties of structural materials, enabling the development of high-performance materials with tailored properties for diverse applications. By harnessing the synergistic combination of experimental techniques, computational modeling, and theoretical insights, researchers can continue to push the boundaries of material design and unlock new possibilities for engineering innovative materials with unprecedented mechanical performance.

Keywords

References (20)

  1. H. Wang, X. Liang, J. Wang, S. Jiao, D. Xue. "Title: Nanoscale." Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 14–42.
  2. M. Minakshi, D. R. G. Mitchell, R. T. Jones, N. C. Pramanik, A. Jean-Fulcrand, G. Garnweitner. "Title: ChemistrySelect." ChemistrySelect, 2020, 5, 1597–1606.
  3. S. Zhou, T. Mei, X. Wang, Y. Qian. "Title: Nanoscale." Nanoscale, 2018, 10, 17435–17455.
  4. L. Zhou, K. Zhang, Z. Hu, Z. Tao, L. Mai, Y.-M. Kang, S.-L. Chou, J. Chen. "Title: Adv. Energy Mater." Adv. Energy Mater., 2018, 8, 1701415.
  5. Title: "Surface gradient structures in single-crystal nickel alloy induced by ultrasonic-assisted high-speed grinding." Materials Today Communications, 2024.
  6. Title: "Polysaccharide nanocomposites in wastewater treatment: A review." Chemosphere, 2024.
  7. Title: "Hierarchical crystalline–amorphous nanocomposites with high strength and large deformability enabled by elemental diffusion." Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 2024.
  8. Title: "Achieving strength-ductility synergy in zirconium via ultra-dense twin-twin networks." Acta Materialia, 2024.
  9. Title: "Twin spacing and grain size dependent tensile deformation mechanism of a nano-polycrystalline Ni-based alloy." Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2024.
  10. J. Zhang et al. "Title: Mater. Today." Mater. Today, 37 (2020), pp. 18-26, doi:10.1016/j.mattod.2020.02.020.
  11. Title: "Inverse gradient nanostructure through gradient cold rolling demonstrated with superelasticity improvement in Ti-50.3Ni shape memory alloy." Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 2024.
  12. Blelloch ND, Mitchell HT, Greenburg LC, Van Citters DW, Mirica KA. Photochemical Control of the Mechanical and Adhesive Properties of Crystalline Molecular Solids. Crystal Growth & Design. 2021;21(11):6143-6154. doi:10.1021/acs.cgd.1c00593
  13. Ganie AA, Dar AA. Water Switched Reversible Thermochromism in Organic Salt of Sulfonated Anil. Crystal Growth & Design. 2021;21(5):3014-3023. doi:10.1021/acs.cgd.1c00189
  14. Shimada T, Watanabe Y, Furuya T, Nishida K, Samitsu S, Wakayama Y, et al. Spherulites of supramolecular polymers formed from undercooled melts, and their adhesive properties. Chemistry Letters. 2023;53(2). doi:10.1093/chemle/upad030
  15. Liang Y, Wang K, Li J, Zhang Y, Liu J, Zhang K, et al. Low-molecular-weight supramolecular adhesives based on non-covalent self-assembly of a small molecular gelator. Materials Horizons. 2022;9(6):1700-1707. doi:10.1039/d2mh00156j
  16. Mulcahy KR, Kilpatrick AFR, Harper GDJ, Walton A, Abbott AP. Debondable adhesives and their use in recycling. Green Chemistry. 2022;24(1):36-61. doi:10.1039/d1gc03306a
  17. Blelloch ND, Yarbrough HJ, Mirica KA. Stimuli-responsive temporary adhesives: enabling debonding on demand through strategic molecular design. Chemical Science. 2021;12(46):15183-15205. doi:10.1039/d1sc03426j
  18. Bolla G, Sarma B, Nangia AK. Crystal Engineering of Pharmaceutical Cocrystals in the Discovery and Development of Improved Drugs. Chemical Reviews. 2022;122(13):11514-11603. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00987
  19. Vreeman G, Wang C, Reddy CM, Sun CC. Exceptional Powder Tabletability of Elastically Flexible Crystals. Crystal Growth & Design. 2021;21(12):6655-6659. doi:10.1021/acs.cgd.1c01017
  20. Gabriele BPA, Williams CJ, Stauffer D, Derby B, Cruz-Cabeza AJ. Brittle Behavior in Aspirin Crystals: Evidence of Spalling Fracture. Crystal Growth & Design. 2021;21(3):1786-1790. doi:10.1021/acs.cgd.0c01662