High-pressure structural integrity and structural transformations of glass-derived nanocomposites: A review

Lipinska-Kalita, Kristina E. (Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada Las Vegas); Hemmers, Oliver A.; Kalita, Patricia E.; Mariotto, Gino; Gramsh, Steve; Hemley, Russell J.; Hartmann, Thomas

Source: Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, v 69, n 9, September, 2008, p 2268-2273

ISSN: 0022-3697 CODEN: JPCSAW

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd

Abstract: A review of our recent and ongoing extensive high-pressure synchrotron X-ray diffraction and high-pressure optical spectroscopy studies of nanocrystalline composites is presented. These heterophased, nano-architectured composites consist of amorphous matrices with dispersed nanocrystals or quantum dots. We show how besides compositional variations, additional tuning of these glass-derived nanocomposites can be done by exploiting elevated pressure. We examine stability and pressure-driven phase transitions occurring in nanocrystals as well as structural changes occurring in the glass matrix. Finally, we discuss the influence of the glass matrix of a composite on the structural transformations occurring in the embedded nanocrystals. © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (31 refs.)

 terms:  Metallic matrix composites  -  Carbon fiber reinforced plastics  -  Glass  -  Metallic glass  -  Nanocomposites  -  Nanocrystalline alloys  -  Nanocrystals  -  Nanostructured materials  -  Nanostructures  -  Phase stability  -  Phase transitions  -  Quantum electronics  -  Semiconductor quantum dots