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Published on: October 25, 2019
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Disorder in Mn+1AXn phases at the atomic scale
Chenxu Wang1,2, Tengfei Yang2, Cameron L Tracy1
1Department of Geological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA.
Nature Communications
|February 9, 2019
Summary
Ion irradiation causes order-to-disorder transformations in complex ceramic Mn+1AXn phases, forming new solid solutions. This challenges previous views of phase decomposition, revealing a pathway for novel material synthesis.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Ceramic Engineering
- Solid-State Chemistry
Background:
- Atomic disordering significantly impacts material properties and performance.
- Understanding structural disordering in complex ceramics is difficult due to limited atomic-scale observation techniques.
- Conventional understanding suggests irradiation leads to phase decomposition in Mn+1AXn phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly image ion irradiation-induced defects in Mn+1AXn phases.
- To investigate the nature of order-to-disorder phase transformations under irradiation.
- To challenge the existing paradigm of irradiation-induced phase decomposition.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing double Cs-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy for direct atomic-scale imaging.
- Employing ion irradiation to induce controlled atomic disordering.
- Analyzing defect formation and phase evolution at the atomic level.
Main Results:
- Direct imaging revealed ion irradiation-induced antisite defects in Mn+1AXn phases.
- Evidence of order-to-disorder phase transformations was observed, contrary to phase decomposition.
- Disordered solid solution γ-(Mn+1A)Xn phases formed, transitioning to solid solution fcc-structured (Mn+1A)Xn phases.
Conclusions:
- Ion irradiation induces order-to-disorder transformations in Mn+1AXn phases, forming solid solutions.
- This study overturns the conventional view of irradiation-induced phase decomposition.
- Tailoring disorder offers a method for synthesizing novel solid solution Mn+1AXn phases.
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