Engineering Ceramics

Tutorials

1. Calculate the number of Frenkel defects per cubic meter in Zinc Oxide at 1000℃. The

energy for the defect formation is 2.5eV while the density for ZnO is 5.55𝑔⁄𝑐𝑚3 at

(1000℃).

[k = 8.62 x 10-5eV/K; NA = 6.022 x 1023 atoms/mol; AZn = 65.41g/mol; AO =

16.00g/mol]

2. Calculate the number of Schottky defects per cubic meter in potassium chloride at 500℃.

The energy required to form each Schottky defect is 2.6 eV, whereas the density for KCl

(at 500℃) is 1.955 𝑔⁄𝑐𝑚3 .

[k = 8.62 x 10-5eV/K; NA = 6.022 x 1023 atoms/mol; AK = 39.10g/mol; ACl =

35.45g/mol]/

3. Calculate the fraction of lattice sites that are Schottky defects for sodium chloride at its

melting temperature (801°C). Assume an energy for defect formation of 2.3 eV.

4. Assume the following point defects:

a. 𝑀𝑔2+ ions substitute for yttrium atoms in 𝑌2 𝑂3

b. 𝐹𝑒 3+ ions substitute for magnesium in MgO

Indicate for each case, what needs to be removed or added and indicate the type of point

defect.
5. If cupric oxide (CuO) is exposed to reducing atmospheres at elevated temperatures, some

of the 𝐶𝑢2+ ions will become 𝐶𝑢+

(a) Under these conditions, name one crystalline defect that you would expect to form in

order to maintain charge neutrality.

(b) How many 𝐶𝑢+ ions are required for the creation of each defect?

(c) How would you express the chemical formula for this nonstoichiometric material?

6. (a) Suppose that Li2O is added as an impurity to CaO. If the 𝐿𝑖 + substitutes for 𝐶𝑎2+ , what

kind of vacancies would you expect to form? How many of these vacancies are created for

every Li+ added?

(b) Suppose that 𝐶𝑎𝐶𝑙2 is added as an impurity to CaO. If the 𝐶𝑙 − substitutes for 𝑂2− , what

kind of vacancies would you expect to form? How many of the vacancies are created for

every 𝐶𝑙 − added

7. Revision of the Coordination number (CN).