Crystal structures, stability, electronic and elastic properties of 4d and 5d transition metal monoborides: First-principles calculations

► Changes from NaCl-, WC- to anti-NiAs-type structures are for 4d and 5d metal monoborides. ► Vickers hardnesses of monoborides are relatively low. ► B-vacancies cause the difference in lattice parameters for IrB and PtB. ► Nonstoichiometric IrB and PtB phases synthesized.