Crystallizing Amorphous Multicomponent Ionic Compounds on 3D Substrates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for synthesizing crystalline complex oxides are limited by high defect densities and inability to control shape, crystallographic orientation, and elemental composition, especially in three-dimensional geometries, which restricts their applications in nanoscale technologies.

Innovation Solution

A method for crystallizing amorphous multicomponent ionic compounds by applying an external stimulus at temperatures below their melting point, inducing an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation, allowing for the formation of intricate three-dimensional structures without nucleation, using techniques like solid phase epitaxial growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If epitaxial growth techniques from vapor phase are used, then crystalline complex oxides can be synthesized with controlled shape and orientation, but the method is constrained to planar substrates and yields only two-dimensional thin-film heterostructures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystal geometryVSAvoidsubstrate geometry flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by depositing amorphous multicomponent ionic compounds onto three-dimensional substrate structures before applying the external stimulus for crystallization. This allows the crystallization process to occur on pre-formed 3D geometries rather than being constrained to planar substrates, enabling intricate nanoscale geometries including vertical and lateral heterostructures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the ionic compound from amorphous to crystalline through application of an external stimulus (such as thermal, optical, or electrical treatment). This phase transformation enables crystallization on three-dimensional substrates while maintaining compositional control and achieving single-crystal phases in complex geometries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional crystallization methods are used, then crystalline phases can be formed, but high defect densities and phase decomposition occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystal qualityVSAvoiddefect density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transitions by transforming the ionic compound from an amorphous phase to a crystalline phase through controlled application of an external stimulus. This approach avoids the high defect densities and phase decomposition associated with conventional crystallization methods, enabling formation of single-crystal phases with low defect densities even in three-dimensional geometries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary deposition of the amorphous multicomponent ionic compound onto the substrate before applying the crystallization stimulus. This sequential approach allows precise control over composition and structure, minimizing defects and phase decomposition during the crystallization process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables the creation of crystalline multicomponent ionic compounds with precise composition and structure, overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques by minimizing phase decomposition and achieving single-crystalline phases in complex geometries, thus expanding their applications in nanotechnology.

Implementation Method 1

The external stimulus induces an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation, thereby crystallizing the layer to provide a crystalline multicomponent ionic compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAmorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

the temperature is further selected to achieve crystallization from the crystalline surface via solid phase epitaxial (SPE) growth without nucleation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolid phase epitaxial growth: Epitaxy

Data Source

PatentUS11591710B2Crystallization of amorphous multicomponent ionic compounds

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 WISCONSIN ALUMNI RES FOUND

AI summary

A method for crystallizing an amorphous multicomponent ionic compound comprises applying an external stimulus to a layer of an amorphous multicomponent ionic compound, the layer in contact with an amorphous surface of a deposition substrate at a first interface and optionally, the layer in contact with a crystalline surface at a second interface, wherein the external stimulus induces an amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation, thereby crystallizing the layer to provide a crystalline multicomponent ionic compound, wherein the external stimulus and the crystallization are carried out at a temperature below the melting temperature of the amorphous multicomponent ionic compound. If the layer is in contact with the crystalline surface at the second interface, the temperature is further selected to achieve crystallization from the crystalline surface via solid phase epitaxial (SPE) growth without nucleation.