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Methods of Ex Situ and In Situ Investigations of Structural Transformations: The Case of Crystallization of Metallic Glasses
Published on: June 7, 2018
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Structural Signature of β-Relaxation in La-Based Metallic Glasses
1International Center for New-Structured Materials (ICNSM), Laboratory of New-Structured Materials, State Key Laboratory of Silicon Materials, and School of Materials Science and Engineering , Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , People's Republic of China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|July 18, 2018
Summary
The secondary β-relaxation in metallic glasses is linked to small atom vibrations within local cages. Ni atom vibrations lead to pronounced β-relaxation, while Cu atom diffusion triggers α-relaxation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Amorphous Materials
Background:
- Secondary β-relaxation is a key characteristic of glassy materials.
- The precise structural origins of β-relaxation remain largely unelucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structural origins of β-relaxation in La-Al-Ni and La-Al-Cu metallic glasses.
- To understand the distinct relaxation dynamics of Ni and Cu atoms in metallic glasses.
Main Methods:
- Advanced synchrotron X-ray techniques.
- Theoretical calculations.
- Analysis of atomic packing and local dynamics.
Main Results:
- β-relaxation in La50Al15Ni35 and La50Al15Cu35 metallic glasses is primarily driven by the vibration of small Ni and Cu atoms within local cages.
- Tricapped-trigonal-prism-like polyhedra with more La atoms in shells facilitate Ni atom vibration, causing significant β-relaxation.
- Cu atom in-cage vibration is suppressed by surrounding Cu atoms, but their higher mobility leads to α-relaxation.
Conclusions:
- The study clarifies the role of local atomic packing and dynamics in governing β-relaxation in metallic glasses.
- A pathway is provided for understanding diverse relaxation behaviors in metallic glasses and other disordered materials.
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