Electronic microdiffraction study of structural modifications resulting from the dehydration of gypsum. Prediction of the microstructure of resultingpseudomorphs
Em. Sipple et al., Electronic microdiffraction study of structural modifications resulting from the dehydration of gypsum. Prediction of the microstructure of resultingpseudomorphs, SOL ST ION, 141, 2001, pp. 455-461
Endothermic decomposition reactions (solid 1 --> solid 2 + gas) generally a
ffect only part of the inter-atomic bonds of the solid 1 structure. In cons
equence, the morphology and external dimensions of particles remain unchang
ed (the particles of solid 2 are referred to as pseudomorphs of those of so
lid 1). The gas release normally leads to a decrease of the molar volume of
the precursor solid, resulting in cracking and formation of intra-particle
porosity, This work deals with such a reaction: the dehydration of gypsum
into sub-hydrated and anhydrous phases. Ultrathin (010) gypsum cleaved plat
es have been dehydrated under controlled conditions and studied by electron
microdiffraction, All reactions have been shown to preserve four different
sets of three-dimensional orientation relations between all structures. Th
ese topotactic orientation relations allow us to clarify the associated ato
mic rearrangements. The reactions are described in a simplified net common
to all structures, which allows to predict the microstructure of the result
ing pseudomorphs. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.