Guided Self-Assembly of Nano-Precipitates into Mesocrystals.

ABSTRACT: We show by a combination of computer simulation and experimental characterization guided self-assembly of coherent nano-precipitates into a mesocrystal having a honeycomb structure in bulk materials. The structure consists of different orientation variants of a product phase precipitated out of the parent phase by heterogeneous nucleation on a hexagonal dislocation network. The predicted honeycomb mesocrystal has been confirmed by experimental observations in an Mg-Y-Nd alloy. The structure and lattice parameters of the mesocrystal and the size of the nano-precipitates are readily tuneable, offering ample opportunities to tailor its properties for a wide range of technological applications.

SUBMITTER: Liu H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4642300 | biostudies-other | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other