Thermostimulated surface autosegregation in bismuth titanate single crystals

Abstract

High resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and electron microprobe X-ray analysis (EPMA) were used to study the morphology and local phase composition of (001) faces in single crystals of bismuth titanate Bi4Ti3O12 formed as a result of thermostimulated surface segregation (TSAS). One possible mechanism for this phenomenon, generated by the selective internal mass transfer of the matrix’s own atoms to the surface in competition with the processes of selective component evaporation, is discussed.