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Deep metastable eutectic nanometer-scale particles in the MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 system

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Abstract

Laboratory vapor phase condensation experiments systematically yield amorphous, homogeneous, nanoparticles with unique deep metastable eutectic compositions. They formed during the nucleation stage in rapidly cooling vapor systems. These nanoparticles evidence the complexity of the nucleation stage. Similar complex behavior may occur during the nucleation stage in quenched-melt laboratory experiments. Because of the bulk size of the quenched system many of such deep metastable eutectic nanodomains will anneal and adjust to local equilibrium but some will persist metastably depending on the time–temperature regime and melt/glass transformation.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grant NNX10AK28G from the NASA Cosmochemistry Program (FJMR). JAN is grateful for the support received from the Cosmochemistry Program at NASA Headquarters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, MSC 03-2040, 1-University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-0001, USA

    Frans J. M. Rietmeijer

  2. Astrochemistry Laboratory, Solar System Exploration Division, Code 691, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, 20771, USA

    Joseph A. Nuth III

Authors
  1. Frans J. M. Rietmeijer
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  2. Joseph A. Nuth III
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Correspondence to Frans J. M. Rietmeijer.

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Rietmeijer, F.J.M., Nuth, J.A. Deep metastable eutectic nanometer-scale particles in the MgO–Al2O3–SiO2 system. J Nanopart Res 13, 3149–3156 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-010-0210-1

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