Nanoindentation study of PbMoO4 single crystals: Mechanical properties and implications for applications

Abstract Nanomechanical properties of lead molybdate (PbMoO4) single crystal were investigated using nanoindentation measurements. The force-dependent Young's modulus and hardness of PbMoO4 along the [100] direction was determined using the Oliver-Pharr method. As the applied force increased, hardness and young modulus values decreased. This behavior was referred to the indentation size effect (ISE). The force-dependent plots were analyzed using proportional specimen resistance model and true hardness value was determined as 1.84 GPa. As a result of increasing the applied force from 5 to 100 mN, the Young modulus decreased from 81.7 to 60.2 GPa. The dependencies of plastic and elastic deformation components were also reported in the present study. It was seen that plastic deformation is the dominant component. The findings suggest that PbMoO4 is relatively soft material and can be considered as a promising material for mechanical and optoelectronics applications that require revealed hardness and Young’s modulus values.