Solvothermal crystal growth of functional materials

Abstract

Hydrothermal crystal growth was associated with the development of α -quartz single crystals for devices based on piezoelectric materials. This technology was then used to elaborate single crystals of different functional materials such as quartz-like oxides (AlPO₄, GaPO₄, GaAsO₄, etc.), calcite CaCO₃, etc. During the last few years two materials, GaN (using non-aqueous solvent) and ZnO, have been particularly investigated due to their specific physical properties appropriate to the development of new technologies. On the basis of the different chemical and thermodynamical parameters governing the solvothermal crystal growth (nature and purity of the nutrient, nature of the solvent, pressure, temperature and thermal gradient), a discussion will be presented on the trends relative to crystal growth technology, in particular, for growing oxide and non-oxide materials.

Keywords:

• solvothermal process
• crystal growth
• solvent
• nutrient
• thermodynamical parameters; chemical parameters
• density of defects