Author: Toyokazu Tanabe, Satoshi Kameoka, An Pang Tsai

Institute: Institute of Materials Science (IMR), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research in Advanced Materials (IMRAM), Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, 980-8577, Japan; National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS), Tsukuba, 305-0047, Japan

Intensive research in recent decades has expanded our knowledge of metal structures and their properties. Of particular interest was the study of exotic quasicrystalline materials. One such material is a leached Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystal. Its intricate three-dimensional structure has unique mechanical, physical and catalytic properties.

One area of ​​active research is the effect of the calcination process on the microstructure of the Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystal and the catalytic activity of the resulting material. Calcination is a heat treatment that leads to a change in interatomic interactions and reorganization of atomic positions within the structure of the material. This process is capable of causing microstructure evolution and changing the physical and chemical properties of the material.

The studies have shown that calcination affects the microstructure of the Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystal and can significantly improve its catalytic activity. The observed changes may be associated with the formation of new phases and changes in the sizes of existing particles in the structure of the quasicrystal. This in turn can lead to an increase in surface area, improved diffusion accessibility of reagents and changes in active sites, which affects the catalytic reaction.

Due to these changes, the calcined leached Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystal has increased activity and stability in catalytic reactions. This makes it a promising material for use in various industrial processes that require an efficient and durable catalyst.

The microstructure evolution induced by calcination in a leached Al–Cu–Fe quasicrystal has a significant impact on the catalytic activity of the resulting material. Further research in this area will allow us to better understand the interaction mechanisms and optimize calcination conditions to achieve maximum catalytic activity of quasicrystalline materials.