Alexander Shengelaya (Tbilisi State University) - Ultrafast Synthesis and Sintering of functional oxide materials by Light Irradation

Abstract:

Advanced functional oxide materials are most commonly synthesized using the solid-
state reaction method, which involves prolonged heating—often for tens to hundreds of
hours—of a mixture of precursor oxides at high temperatures. This is a highly time and
energy consuming process. Moreover, extended heating can lead to the evaporation of
certain components, resulting in changes in stoichiometry and a decline in material
quality. Therefore, there is a need to develop new technologies to significantly reduce the
synthesis and sintering time.

We have developed a novel synthesis method that replaces conventional furnace-based
thermal treatment with intense light irradiation. This technique, which we refer to as
photostimulated solid-state reaction (PSSR), involves exposing a mixture of starting
oxides to combined infrared, visible and ultraviolet light of high intensity. Our results show
that the reaction rate achieved using PSSR exceeds that of traditional thermal solid-state
reactions by two to three orders of magnitude.

We will demonstrate the application of PSSR for the rapid synthesis and sintering of
superconducting, magnetic, and other functional oxide materials, in both bulk and thin-
film forms. The role of non-thermal effects during light irradiation will be highlighted, and
possible mechanisms underlying the PSSR process will be discussed.