Takashi Sanada

Nano quasicrystal formation and local atomic structure in Zr–Pd and Zr–Pt binary metallic glasses

Abstract Formation of the nanoscale icosahedral quasicrystalline phase (I-phase) in the melt-spun Zr70Pd30 and Zr80Pt20 binary metallic glasses were reported. Local atomic structure in the glassy and quasicrystal (QC)-formed states were also analyzed by XRD and EXAFS measurements in order to investigate the formation mechanism of QC phase. The distorted icosahedral-like local structure can be identified around Zr atom in the Zr70Pd30 metallic glass. In the QC formation process, a change of local environment around Zr is detected, in which the approximately one Zr atom substitutes for one Pd atom. In contrast, since the local environment around Pt atom is remaining during the QC precipitation, it is suggested that the stable icosahedral local structure is mainly formed around a center Pt atom in the glassy state in Zr80Pt20. We also found that the local environment around Zr atom significantly changes during the quasicrystallization in the alloy. These results differ from those in the Zr70Pd30 metallic glass.

Local structure characterization in quasicrystal-forming Zr80Pt20 binary amorphous alloy

The local structure of melt-spun Zr80Pt20 alloy was investigated in the amorphous and icosahedral quasicrystal (QC)-formed states by x-ray diffraction and extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements. While the local environment around the Zr atom in the amorphous state is considerably different from that in the QC-formed state, it remains during the quasicrystallization around the Pt atom. It is suggested that the stable icosahedral local structure is mainly formed in the center of the Pt atom in the amorphous state.

Change in local environment upon quasicrystallization of Zr?Cu glassy alloys by addition of Pd and Pt

The effects of Pd and Pt, which are known quasicrystal (QC)-forming elements, on the local atomic structure in Zr(70)Cu(30) glassy alloys are investigated. A QC phase precipitates from a glassy phase above a certain temperature by a cooperative-like motion of icosahedral clusters. Quasicrystallization is accompanied by a significant change in the local environment around the Zr atoms and a slight change around the noble metal. However, the local environment around the Cu atoms remains almost the same during QC formation. It is suggested that two types of icosahedral polyhedra exist in the glassy state: one has a relatively perfect icosahedral structure formed around the Zr atoms. The other is in a distorted state around the Cu atoms. We speculate that the medium-range order (i.e. QC nucleus) has a Zr-centered icosahedral cluster as its core, and the QC grows via aggregation of possible clusters in the initial stage. Pd or Pt atoms stabilize and/or connect individual Zr-centered icosahedral clusters, facilitating the formation of the nucleus and growth of the QC phase.