Rational Grain Boundary Segregation Enables Long-Term Thermally Stable, Catalytically Active, and CO-Tolerant Nanograined Metals.

ABSTRACT: Grain boundaries (GBs) impart nanocrystalline metals with unique functional properties but are often plagued by poor thermal stability. While solute segregation is commonly used to stabilize GBs, stability alone is insufficient-effective strategies must also preserve, or ideally enhance, functional activity, a critical aspect largely overlooked. Here, it is shown that GB segregation is not universally beneficial: the same segregant can either stabilize or destabilize GBs depending on its local concentration and spatial distribution. Using boron-segregated platinum as an example, a concentration-dependent duality is uncovered: at sub-equilibrium levels, boron strengthens GB cohesion and preserves structure during prolonged annealing; when oversaturated, boron clusters near GBs, generating r

SUBMITTER: Geng X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12667514 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature