Nanoscale microstructure and chemistry of transparent gahnite glass-ceramics revealed by atom probe tomography

The nanoscale microstructure and chemistry of a transparent gahnite glass-ceramic its precursor glass were investigated using atom probe tomography, transmission electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the annealed glass, statistically significant ZrO clustering was observed along with Si depletion within 2 nm clusters. This is expected to be first step in nucleation crystallization nucleating agent, ZrO2. glass-ceramic, (ZnAl2O4) crystallites found exist proximal locations ZrO2 not core-shell arrangement. residual composition directly measured by probe, showing higher concentrations Al, Zn, Zr than previously expected. At interfaces between no enrichment or zones found. These findings provide answers outstanding questions surrounding elemental partitioning, microstructure, glass-ceramics.