Nanoglassy oxides via mechanochemistry: the formation mechanism, the short-range structure, functional properties and the thermal stability

• Applicant: Dr. Vladimir Sepelák
• Subject Area: Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis ; Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation
• Term: from 2015 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 286123581

Novel nanoglassy Li-containing pyroxene-type compounds with the composition of LiMX2O6 (M = Fe3+, Al3+, Ga3+; X = Si4+, Ge4+) will be prepared via far-from equilibrium one-step mechanosynthesis. Due to their capabilities to probe the local environment of a particular nucleus, complementary nuclear spectroscopic methods such as multi-nuclear NMR- and Mössbauer spectroscopies will provide detailed insight into the short-range structure of the oxide nanoglasses. The main focus will be given to the clarification of the mechanisms giving rise to the mechanically triggered formation of nanoglassy building blocks of enhanced density separated by interfacial amorphous regions with a reduced density in the mechanosynthesized materials. Quantitative Information on the local atomic and electronic structures of the nanoglassy oxides will be complemented by the investigation of their dynamic, electric and magnetic behavior with the aim to provide a clear-cut explanation of the fundamental origin of their functional properties. In order to determine the range of thermal stability of the nanoglasses and to identify their relaxation paths to the equilibrium state at the local scale, the response of the mechanosynthesized solids to changes in temperature will also be studied.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants