Modification of the structural order of transition metal–carbon systems by the addition of a Group VIII element

ATransition-metal carbides M–C from different groups of the periodic table (IVA–VIA), doped with iron, were produced by sputtering, and their chemical composition and crystal structure were evaluated. The M–C binary thin films have different ranges of structural order depending on their heat of formation and tendency to crystallize to a structure of the NaCl type. Iron provokes a significant decrease of the range of structural order of these carbides. The iron content required for the appearing of structures with intermediate-range order is a function of the constituent transition metal of the carbide, and is higher for stronger carbide formers.