Phase separation, cation ordering and nano-structural complexities in Nd(2/3-x)Li(3x)TiO(3)with x=0.14

摘要

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations on Nd2/3-xLi3xTiO3 with x = 0.14 reveal a rich variety of structural features in the samples prepared under different conditions, such as superstructures, anti-phase domains, and nano-chessboard structures. Our careful analysis shows that these structural phenomena can be fundamentally understood as the combination of structural effects of (Nd, Li)-ordering along the < 001 >(p) direction and the spinodal decomposition along the < 100 >(p)/< 010 >(p) direction. The coexistence of phase separation and cation ordering can lead to visible nano-structural complexities in many crystals, as the typical results. the regular lamella structure, nano-chessboard structures and anti-phase boundaries have been extensively studied. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.