Point defects and cation tracer diffusion in (Ti x Fe 1?x ) 3?δ O4 1. Non-stoichiometry and point defects

 The deviation from stoichiometry, δ, in spinel solid solutions of the type (Ti _x Fe _1−x )_3−δ O₄ with x=0.1, 0.2 and 0.25 was studied thermogravimetrically as a function of oxygen activity, a _O2, at 1100, 1200 and 1300 ^∘C. The experimental results, S-shaped curves for δ vs. log a_O2, are presented and discussed with regard to the type of point defects prevailing under different conditions in the deviation from stoichiometry. It is concluded that cation vacancies are the predominant point defects at high oxygen activities, while cation interstitials prevail at low oxygen activities. The temperature and composition dependencies of point defect concentrations are also discussed. Received: 1 October 1996 / Accepted: 15 September 2002 Acknowledgements The authors thank the US Department of Energy for support of this work under Grant no. DE-FGO2–88ER45357. This work made use of the Cornell Center of Materials Shared Experimental Facilities, supported through the National Science Foundation Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers program (DMR-0079992).