The interface structures at both MgAl2O4/MgO and MgAl2O4/Al2O3 interfaces have been understood at the atomic scale, and the interaction between the interface reaction and the long-range inter-diffusion of cations has been explained from initial to late growth stages. It is found that the interface morphology in micron-scale is strongly linked to the structure in atomic scale.
The detailed workflow is listed below.
1. Selecting MgAl2O4 interlayers grown in different stages, examining their crystallographic orientation relationship with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) on a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and then use site-selective focused ion beam (FIB) and low voltage Argon ion-milling to prepare specimen for further atomic study via atomic resolution STEM.
2. Investigating both MgAl2O4/MgO and MgAl2O4/Al2O3 interfaces via the state-of-the-art atomic resolution STEM, from micron-scale down to atomic scale, especially on the misfit dislocation structure at the interfaces. The interface configurations at initial and late growth stages have also been compared.
3. Basing on the microscopic observations, structure models have been built to understand the interface reaction mechanism.
4. At the end, all the results from micron-scale morphology and atomic structure, as well as modelling have been combined for analysis and discussion: the atomic structure and micron-scale morphology have been linked; the interaction between the interface reaction and the long-range inter-diffusion of Al3+ and Mg2+ from the reaction interfaces across the MgAl2O4 interlayers has been discussed; and the interface motion during the initial and late growth stages have been compared. All these lead to a multi-dimensional understanding of the interface motion.
5. At the end of the project, we extended our study to natural minerals, and achieved some preliminary results: The crystalline orientation relationship at the natural spinel/corundum interface is similar to the experimentally grown materials, despite that the natural mineral has a 3-dimentional curved interface. The inclusions in the natural mineral show an interesting structure change across the corundum/spinel interface, which might lead to a new project.
Exploitation and dissemination:
This research directly leads to 8 papers including 1 article published in ‘Philosophical Magazine’ at 2016, 2 conference proceedings, 2 articles to be submitted, and 3 in preparation. During the Marie Curie Period, Dr. Li has published 14 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, including 5 first author papers. 10 of them were from previous projects. Dr. Li also delivered 12 Oral Presentations for Conferences and seminar talks, including 6 invited lectures by Universities and research institutes, 4 conference talks, and 2 internal department seminars. And 2 more conference talks are upcoming in August 2017. Besides, several presentations from Dr. Li’s collaborators also include her results.
