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Triangular dendrites of LiAlSiO 4 –SiO 2 : evolution between threefold‐ and sixfold‐symmetric morphologies
Author(s) -
Zhao Shanrong,
Tan Jin,
Wang Jiyang,
Hu Xiaobo,
Liu Hong
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s0021889802008038
Subject(s) - dendrite (mathematics) , hexagonal prism , crystal (programming language) , crystallography , prism , triangular prism , crystal habit , materials science , hexagonal crystal system , quartz , snowflake , supercooling , geometry , chemistry , crystallization , optics , physics , composite material , mathematics , organic chemistry , meteorology , computer science , snow , programming language , thermodynamics
A special kind of triangular dendrite of LiAlSiO 4 –SiO 2 (or Li 1− x Al 1− x Si 1+ x O 4 , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1) in matt glaze has been observed by DIC (differential interference contrast) microscopy. This triangular dendrite is β‐quartz with a sixfold‐symmetric structure. For polyhedral crystals, a crystal with threefold‐symmetric structure prefers to develop a hexagonal prismatic habit rather than a trigonal prismatic habit, because a trigonal prism has a higher surface energy than a hexagonal prism. However, for dendritic crystals, a special kind of triangular dendrite, with a pattern formed by the aggregation of many small triangles, can develop. As supercooling decreases, β‐quartz can develop a series of morphologies with different surface energies, from snowflake‐shaped dendrite to triangular dendrite, and finally to a polyhedral crystal in the form of a hexagonal prism. This series of crystal morphologies shows a morphological evolution from dendrite to polyhedral crystal, and also shows a morphological evolution between sixfold and threefold symmetries.