Author: D. J. Sordele, M. F. Besser and I. E. Anderson

Institute: Ames Laboratory, US Department of Energy, Iowa State University, 50011 Ames, Iowa, USA

Studying the influence of particle size on the chemical composition and structure of quasicrystalline Al-Cu-Fe coatings is one of the urgent problems in modern science. Quasicrystals are a special type of materials with non-conventional long-dimensional periodicity, where there are no spatial symmetries typical of crystals.

Interest in the study of quasicrystalline coatings is driven by their unique mechanical, thermal and electrical properties, which can find applications in various fields, including electronics, coatings and catalysis.

One of the main parameters affecting the properties of quasicrystalline coatings is the particle size. The particle size in coatings can vary from nanometers to micrometers and has a direct impact on the chemical composition and structure of the material.

Experimental studies show that a decrease in particle size leads to a change in the structure of quasicrystalline coatings. In particular, there is an effect of reducing the admixture of other metals, such as iron and copper, in the structure of the coatings. This is explained by an increase in the surface area available for gas phase reactions, which contributes to deeper purification of the material.

Moreover, changes in particle size affect the mechanical properties of quasicrystalline coatings. As the particle size decreases, the hardness, strength and fatigue resistance of coatings increases. This effect is explained by the higher density of defects and surface in a coating with smaller particle sizes, which leads to the formation of stronger bonds between atoms.

Thus, studying the effect of particle size on the chemical composition and structure of quasicrystalline Al-Cu-Fe coatings is an important step in understanding and optimizing the properties of these materials. Further research in this area could help develop new methods and technologies, as well as find new applications for quasicrystalline coatings.