Atomic-scale phase separation induced clustering of solute atoms

Lianfeng Zou, Penghui Cao, Yinkai Lei, Dmitri Zakharov, Xianhu Sun, Stephen D. House, Langli Luo, Jonathan Li, Yang Yang, Qiyue Yin, Xiaobo Chen, Chaoran Li, Hailang Qin, Eric A. Stach, Judith C. Yang, Guofeng Wang and Guangwen Zhou ()
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Lianfeng Zou: State University of New York
Penghui Cao: University of California
Yinkai Lei: University of Pittsburgh
Dmitri Zakharov: Brookhaven National Laboratory
Xianhu Sun: State University of New York
Stephen D. House: University of Pittsburgh
Langli Luo: State University of New York
Jonathan Li: State University of New York
Yang Yang: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Qiyue Yin: State University of New York
Xiaobo Chen: State University of New York
Chaoran Li: State University of New York
Hailang Qin: State University of New York
Eric A. Stach: University of Pennsylvania
Judith C. Yang: University of Pittsburgh
Guofeng Wang: University of Pittsburgh
Guangwen Zhou: State University of New York

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Dealloying typically occurs via the chemical dissolution of an alloy component through a corrosion process. In contrast, here we report an atomic-scale nonchemical dealloying process that results in the clustering of solute atoms. We show that the disparity in the adatom–substrate exchange barriers separate Cu adatoms from a Cu–Au mixture, leaving behind a fluid phase enriched with Au adatoms that subsequently aggregate into supported clusters. Using dynamic, atomic-scale electron microscopy observations and theoretical modeling, we delineate the atomic-scale mechanisms associated with the nucleation, rotation and amorphization–crystallization oscillations of the Au clusters. We expect broader applicability of the results because the phase separation process is dictated by the inherent asymmetric adatom-substrate exchange barriers for separating dissimilar atoms in multicomponent materials.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-17826-w

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