Nanocrystalline Composite Media in the GeO$_{2}$-Ga$_{2}$O$_{3}$ Mullite-Type System: Synthesis and Conventional as Well as Synchrotron Based Characterization

ORAL

Abstract

In the frame of our extensive project on nanocomposites based on dielectric matrices, we designed and synthesized a series of optically transparent glass-based composites, containing nanometer-sized crystals embedded in an isotropic host matrix. We determined the structure of the nanocrystals to be an orthorhombic GeO$_{2}$-Ga$_{2}$O$_{3}$ mullite-type phase, isostructural with SiO$_{2}$-Al$_{2}$O$_{3}$ mullite. In order to characterize the materials synchrotron X-ray diffraction, optical spectroscopy and electron microscopy were used. High-pressure compression and decompression studies up to 40 GPa were also performed to investigate the structural integrity of the nanocrystals. This work is the first report of a controlled, successful synthesis of Ge-Ga mullite type nanocrystalline composites.

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Authors

  • Kristina E. Lipinska-Kalita

    • Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV, USA
    • Dept. of Chemistry, University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV, USA

  • Patricia E. Kalita

    • Department of Physics,University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV, USA
    • Dept. of Physics, University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV, USA

  • Oliver Hemmers

    • Dept. of Chemistry, University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV, USA

  • Cedric L. Gobin

    • Dept. of Physics, University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV, USA

  • Gino Mariotto

    • University of Trento, Dept. of Physics, Trento, Italy

  • Thomas Hartmann

    • Harry Reid Center for Environ. Studies, University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV, USA

  • Longzhou Ma

    • Harry Reid Center for Environ. Studies, University of Nevada Las Vegas, NV, USA