Papers by Keyword: Interface transfer coefficient

Abstract: In a set of recent papers we have shown that the diffusion asymmetry in diffusion couples (the diffusion coefficient is orders of magnitude larger in one of the parent materials) leads to interesting phenomena: i) sharp interface remains sharp and shifts with non Fickian (anomalous) kinetics [1-5], ii) originally diffuse interface sharpens even in ideal (completely miscible) systems [6,7], iii) an initially existing thin AB phase in A/AB/B diffusion couple can be dissolved [8], iv) there exists a crossover thickness (typically between few nanometers and 1m) above which the interface shift turns back to the Fickian behaviour [9], v) the growth rate of a product of solid state reaction can be linear even if there is no any extra potential barrier present (which is the classical interpretation of the “interface reaction control” for linear kinetics) [10]. These latter results will be summarized and reformulated according to the usual expression for linear-parabolic law containing the interdiffusion coefficient, D, and interface transfer coefficient, K. Relation between the activation energies of D and K will be analyzed and compared with available experimental data.

Abstract: Growth kinetic is either diffusion or interface reaction controlled process, characterized by parabolic or linear relationships, respectively. The well known diffusion paradox, predicting infinitely fast diffusion kinetics at short times (distances) for diffusion control will be discussed and resolved, by showing that the diffusion permeability across the interface should be finite at the very beginning of the process. Thus one can arrive at an atomistic interpretation of the interface transfer coefficient, K, and at linear growth kinetics even if there is no extra potential barrier present at the interface, usually assumed in the interpretation of interface reaction control. It is also shown that this phenomenon is a typical nanoeffect: after a certain diffusion distance (lying between 0.01 and 300 nm, depending on the composition dependence of the diffusion coefficient) the finite permeability of the interface will not restrict the growth and normal diffusion control will be observed.