The chemistry of ceramic grain boundaries

Abstract

The arrangement of ions and grain boundary structures in ceramics have been made clearer by high resolution electron microscopy and computer simulations. Oxide grain boundaries are more open than metal boundaries. Calculations indicate that there are at least some low energy sites for all solutes. Widespread segregation at boundaries and boundary chemistry different from the bulk is thus expected; it is experimentally found to be the case. Boundaries in ceramic oxides generally have an electrical charge and associated space charge region which also affect boundary chemistry. Many properties of ceramics are affected by boundary chemistry and boundary charge. © 1984, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.