Electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI) applied to a fresnoite dendrite grown via electrochemically induced nucleation

Electrochemically induced nucleation (EiN) may be used to locally trigger the growth of Ba-fresnoite (Ba2TiSi2O8) in a glass melt leading to the growth of macroscopic dendrites. Applying a Czochralski-like procedure enables to grow such dendrites into macroscopic, glass-permeated single crystals, making them a viable alternative to true single crystals e.g. for piezoelectric applications. Here the defect structure of a dendrite resulting from EiN is analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and electron channelling contrast imaging (ECCI). No indications of crystal defects during growth are observed, illustrating a high degree of perfection in the crystal lattice resulting from dendritic growth after EiN.

Automated summary

Electrochemically induced nucleation can trigger the growth of Ba-fresnoite dendrites in a glass melt, resulting in highly perfect crystal lattice. The dendrites grown after EiN have no observable crystal defects, making them suitable for applications in piezoelectric materials.