What is it about?
Abnormal grain growth (AGG) was observed in rutile TiO2 formed by the thermal treatment of anatase TiO2 in the presence of zirconium silicate. This morphological behaviour was seen to occur in sintered powder compacts and thin films with solid state zircon dopants and in TiO2 coatings on grains of zircon sand. In order to clarify the mechanism of AGG in this system, various doping methods were employed and the morphological consequences of these doping methods were investigated. It was found that doping by Zr and Si does not give rise to abnormal grain growth. The observed phenomena were discussed in terms of morphological and energetic considerations. It is likely that a distinct orientation relationship between rutile TiO2 and ZrSiO4 and possible grain boundary liquid formation play a role in giving rise to the rapid growth of faceted prismatic rutile.
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Why is it important?
This work is important as it explores abnormal grain growth in general, not just in TiO2. The reader, by studying this work is able to gain new insights into grain growth and sintering phenomena across the board
Perspectives
AGG in TiO2 has yet to be explored as a route towards enhanced properties, be they mechanical or chemical. The unusual grains observed here can grow to form large single crystal rutile whiskers, which are of value in various scenarios.
Dr, Dorian Hanaor
Technische Universitat Berlin
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Abnormal grain growth of rutile TiO2 induced by ZrSiO4, Journal of Crystal Growth, November 2012, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2012.08.015.
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