Author: Yoshiki Takagiwa,Ryota Maeda,Satoshi Ohashi,An-Pan Tsai

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

Icosahedral Al-Cu-Fe (QC) quasicrystal has moderate electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity, and both p- and n-type conductivity can be controlled by tuning the sample composition, making it potentially suitable for thermoelectric materials.

Studies have shown that replacing a heavy element in an icosahedral Al-Cu-Fe quasicrystal leads to a significant decrease in its thermal conductivity. This is due to changes in the structure and properties of the material, which opens up new prospects for the use of this crystal in various fields of engineering and technology. Further research into optimizing the composition and structure of a quasicrystal will expand its potential capabilities and increase the efficiency of its use.

In addition, reducing the thermal conductivity of the al-cu-fe icosahedral quasicrystal by replacing the heavy element can also lead to an improvement in its mechanical properties such as strength and hardness. This may be especially important for the use of the material under conditions of increased load or aggressive environments. Such improved properties can expand the range of applications of the quasicrystal and increase its competitiveness in the materials market.                                                    

Additionally, changing the composition and structure of the al-cu-fe icosahedral quasicrystal may also affect its chemical stability and corrosion resistance. This opens up the possibility of using the material in conditions where high chemical resistance is important, for example, in aggressive environments or at high temperatures. Thus, further research in this direction may lead to the creation of new materials with unique properties and a wide range of applications.

Finally, studying the effect of heavy element substitution on the thermal conductivity of an al-cu-fe icosahedral quasicrystal is only one aspect of the potential applications of this material. Further research may reveal other interesting properties of quasicrystals that could be useful in various fields such as electronics, magnetism and optics. Thus, this study opens the door to new possibilities for the use of icosahedral quasicrystals in modern technology and engineering.