Structure of TEA₂ZnCl₄ crystal surfaces studied by AFM

Abstract

The surface of the TEA₂ZnCl₄ crystal has been studied by the atomic force microscope for the fresh (as-obtained) samples and for the samples cooled below = 223.2 K at a rate of 10° min⁻¹. The images obtained have revealed strong cracking of the crystal surface. For the (110) surface the cracks were perpendicular to the cleavage planes, whereas the (001) surface was completely changed. The changes lead to the brightening of the crystal samples and may suggest the ferroelastic deformation in microregions. No classical ferroelastic domain structure has been observed in the low-temperature phase.

Keywords:

• phase transitions
• ferroelastics
• domain structure
• atomic force microscopy