Differential thermal analysis and solution growth of intermetallic compounds

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how differential thermal analysis (DTA) combined with simulations can optimize solution growth of intermetallic single crystals by identifying suitable heat treatments, compositions, and crucible materials, streamlining the process.

Contribution

It introduces a method using DTA and simulations to interpret complex thermal curves, aiding in the selection of growth conditions and crucible materials without detailed phase diagram knowledge.

Findings

DTA helps determine heat treatment and composition for solution growth.

DTA can identify suitable crucible materials.

Application to systems like TbAl, Pr7Ni2Si5, and YMn4Al8.

Abstract

To obtain single crystals by solution growth, an exposed primary solidification surface in the appropriate, but often unknown, equilibrium alloy phase diagram is required. Furthermore, an appropriate crucible material is needed, necessary to hold the molten alloy during growth, without being attacked by it. Recently, we have used the comparison of realistic simulations with experimental differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves to address both these problems. We have found: 1) complex DTA curves can be interpreted to determine an appropriate heat treatment and starting composition for solution growth, without having to determine the underlying phase diagrams in detail. 2) DTA can facilitate identification of appropriate crucible materials. DTA can thus be used to make the procedure to obtain single crystals of a desired phase by solution growth more efficient. We will use some of the systems for which we have recently obtained single-crystalline samples using the combination of DTA and solution growth as examples. These systems are TbAl, Pr$_7$Ni$_2$Si$_5$, and YMn$_4$Al$_8$.