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Point Defects in Ceramics

Self-interstitial defects in ceramics occur when an atom of the same element occupies an interstitial space between other atoms in the crystal lattice, requiring the other atoms to move and distort the lattice. However, this requires energy and so these defects are rare. The two main types of point defects in ceramics are interstitial defects, where a cation fits in the space between anions, and vacancy defects, where a cation or anion is missing from its normal position in the lattice. One example is the Frenkel defect, where a cation leaves its position to become an interstitial, creating both an interstitial and a vacancy while maintaining electric neutrality and stoichiometry.

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361 views5 pages

Point Defects in Ceramics

Self-interstitial defects in ceramics occur when an atom of the same element occupies an interstitial space between other atoms in the crystal lattice, requiring the other atoms to move and distort the lattice. However, this requires energy and so these defects are rare. The two main types of point defects in ceramics are interstitial defects, where a cation fits in the space between anions, and vacancy defects, where a cation or anion is missing from its normal position in the lattice. One example is the Frenkel defect, where a cation leaves its position to become an interstitial, creating both an interstitial and a vacancy while maintaining electric neutrality and stoichiometry.

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Raja AK
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Self-interstitial point defect in ceramics occur when the atom of same element

(not another impurity atom) occupies a space in between atoms as shown in


figure.

As all other atoms are arranged in a specific position, to accommodate this


extra atom all other atoms have to move and this creates lattice distortions.

However, to move atoms we need energy and so this phenomenon s very


rare and we find very few crystals with this kind of defect.
Point Defects in Ceramics:
We studied two kinds of defects in metals:

Interstitial: when impurity(solute) atom is present in between spaces of


host atom(solvent).

Vacancy: when an atom leaves its position and the empty space is present.

Anion: is the –ve charged atom, which is bigger in size


Cation: is the +ve charged atom, smaller in size

So, in ceramics we observe two charges as shown in diagram.

The interstitial defects in ceramics occur mostly due to presence of cation in space between atoms. As the size of anion is
bigger so, the probability of anion fitting into such small space is very less.

The vacancy defect in ceramics occur both due to absence of cation and anion from their positions.
Frenkel defect:

Even if the defects are present in a material it still has to maintain its electric
neutrality and stoichiometry.

Stoichiometry is the balance in the quantities of atoms present in a crystal.

Electric/Charge neutrality is required to maintain the stability in crystal.

The defect we see in ceramics is Cation Vacancy – Cation Interstitial pair.

In this defect a cation leaves its position in crystal and moves to another empty
space as shown in diagram. By doing so it creates a Vacancy and also it creates
a Interstitial defect.

Also, the electric neutrality and stoichiometry is maintained as the total charge and no. of atoms in crystal
remained same.

This Cation Vacancy – Cation Interstitial pair is also known as Frenkel defect.
Schottky defect:

If in an ionic crystal of the type A+ and B-, equal number of cations and anions are
missing from their lattice. It is called Schottky defect.

In this defect a cation leaves its position in crystal and moves out of the crystal space
as shown in diagram. To maintain charge neutrality an anion also leaves its position and
Moves out of the crystal.

Also, the electric neutrality and stoichiometry is maintained as the total charge and
no. of atoms in crystal remained same.

This kind of defect is known as Schottky defect.

Various Properties of ions that will facilitate Schottky defect are:

1. Ionic compound: The compound or material where Schottky defect is observed is highly ionic. That is
compound is usually formed by ions bonded together by strong ionic bonding. Ex: NaCl, KCl, AgBr

2. Almost equal size: The size of both cation and anion should be almost equal.

3. Highly coordinated: The crystal with high coordination numbers have shown this defect very often.

Consequences of Schottky defect:


1. As the number of ions decreases as a result of this defect, the mass decreases whereas the volume remains the
same. Hence density of the solid decreases.
2. The presence of too many voids lowers lattice energy and the stability of the crystal.

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