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Diffusion in Solids

Diffusion is the process by which atoms or molecules move from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration. There are two types of diffusion: interdiffusion, where different elements diffuse into each other, and self-diffusion, where atoms of the same element exchange positions. Diffusion occurs through either vacancy or interstitial mechanisms, depending on the size of the diffusing atom, and requires thermal energy to allow atoms to break bonds with neighbors. The rate of diffusion depends on factors like temperature, concentration gradient, and diffusion coefficient and can be modeled by Fick's laws of diffusion.

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63 views27 pages

Diffusion in Solids

Diffusion is the process by which atoms or molecules move from an area of higher concentration to lower concentration. There are two types of diffusion: interdiffusion, where different elements diffuse into each other, and self-diffusion, where atoms of the same element exchange positions. Diffusion occurs through either vacancy or interstitial mechanisms, depending on the size of the diffusing atom, and requires thermal energy to allow atoms to break bonds with neighbors. The rate of diffusion depends on factors like temperature, concentration gradient, and diffusion coefficient and can be modeled by Fick's laws of diffusion.

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Rhea Mae Biñar
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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DIFFUSION IN

SOLIDS
Diffusion
◦ It is the process of mass transport by movement of atoms and
molecules from a region of high chemical potential to a region of
low chemical potential.
◦ High chemical potential most of the time corresponds to High
concentration
◦ Low chemical potential most of the time corresponds to Low
concentration
Interdiffusion or
Impurity Diffusion
Two Types of Diffusion
1. Interdiffusion or Impurity Diffusion
- changes in concentration that occur over time
- Copper & Nickel
2. Self Diffusion
– diffusion of pure solids
- all atoms exchanging positions are of the same type.
Diffusion Mechanisms: How Diffusion
takes place?
◦ During diffusion, a step by step movement of atom takes place
from one lattice site to another.

Requirements:
1. There should be an adjacent vacant site .
2. Sufficient energy to break bond with neighbors.
Where will the atom get energy to
break the bonds?
◦ Atomic vibration provides the required energy to break free the
bond.
◦ Higher the temperature, the more would be the vibration and
more energy to break free the bond.
◦ Temperature tells how fast diffusion can take place.

Types of Diffusion Mechanism


1. Vacancy Diffusion
2. Interstitial Diffusion
Vacancy Diffusion
◦ Interchange of atom from normal lattice site
with adjacent vacancy.
◦ Ease depends on vacancy concentration.
◦ Direction of movement of atom and vacancy
is opposite to each other.
◦ Both "Self diffusion" as well as "interdiffusion"
takes place
Interstitial Diffusion
◦ Small impurities can lie in between the atoms
in these voids or empty space.
◦ No vacancy required, no breaking of bonds
required but the impurities or smaller atoms
move through these interstitial site.
◦ Normally the atom moving is the impurity
particle smaller in size.
◦ Interstitial diffusion is faster than the atoms
moving through the vacancy diffusion.
Types of Diffusion in terms of time
1. Steady-state Diffusion
2. Non-steady State Diffusion
Steady State Diffusion
◦ Diffusion is a time dependent process
◦ Rate of diffusion is an important parameter
𝑴 𝟏 𝒅𝑴
◦ Diffusion Flux, 𝑱 = =
𝑨𝒕 𝑨 𝒅𝒕
◦ If the diffusion flux remains constant with time, it is said
to be steady-state diffusion.
When would diffusion arises?
◦ Diffusion occurs (driving force) due to concentration
gradient.
𝒅𝑪
◦ Concentration gradient =
𝒅𝒕
Non-Steady State Diffusion
◦ Concentration gradient keeps changing with time.
◦ Diffusion flux therefore is also a function of time.
◦ This non-steady state is mathematically represented by
𝒅𝑪 𝒅 𝒅𝑪 𝒅𝟐 𝑪
Fick’s Second Law, 𝒅𝒕
= 𝒅𝒙
𝑫 𝒅𝒙 = 𝑫 𝒅𝒙𝟐
Non-Steady State Diffusion
For Semi-infinite solid:
◦ Initial concentration 𝐶𝑜 throughout
◦ Concentration at the surface
throughout diffusion process 𝐶𝑠

On application of these condition:


𝐶𝑥 − 𝐶𝑜 𝑥
= 1 − erf
𝐶𝑠 − 𝐶𝑜 2 𝐷𝑡
Factors that Affect Diffusion
1. Diffusing Species
- The material in which the diffusion is taking place and the atoms under
study
2. Temperature
- Temperature affects the Diffusion Coefficient (D) directly and the
increase is exponential.
- Higher the value of T, Higher the value of D and the diffusion will be
much faster.
Other Diffusion Path
◦ Atomic migration may also occur along:
dislocations
grain boundaries
external surfaces
◦ These are sometimes called “short-circuit” diffusion paths in as much as
rates are much faster than for bulk diffusion.
◦ However, in most situations short-circuit contributions to the overall
diffusion flux are insignificant because the cross-sectional areas of these
paths are extremely small.

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