Flux growth method

In the flux-growth method, crystals of the desired ceramic are precipitated from a melt containing the components of the product phase, often in addition to additives used to suppress the melting point of the flux. These additives remain in solution after crystal growth is complete. Crystals are precipitated onto seeds by slowly cooling the melt or the seed, or occasionally by evaporating volatile components of the melt such as alkaH haHdes, depressing the solubiHty of the product phase. 

Why are flux growth methods widely used in the production of synthetic gems Are there are disadvantages that you can think of in using these methods for this particular application ... 

For the higher borides, a new compound RBigSis was discovered by the flux-growth method using silicon fljjjj 52,68 ujg compound Ri gBj6C2Sig was... 

Bismuth titanate Bismuth tibmate BiJijO — Flux-growth method... 

In addition to the well-established A and B forms, Wanklyn et al. (1975) have found a new form of oxyorthosilicate for gadolinium, terbium and dysprosium. Single crystals have been obtained by the flux growth method from a mixture containing PbFj, RjOj and SiOj. Only the X-ray powder patterns of these crystals have been published. It should also be noted that the new structure was obtained from only 4 of 40 batches prepared. Wanklyn et al. concluded that the structure must be somewhat unstable, yet upon heating to 1700°C the diffraction pattern remained unchanged. The crystals contained lead only as a trace impurity. 

Thus, we felt it particularly worthwhile to try to improve the preparation of KTP since we were willing to make the bet that drastically improved new materials were not just around the comer. Two KTP preparation methods are in general use, anhydrous flux growth as described by Loiacono and his co-workers 40) and by Ballman 41) and relatively high temperature hydrothermal growth as perfected by Belt and his colleagues. 42) We will not attempt a historical review of the development of these methods. Instead we will outline some features and preparative improvements 43,45) which we discovered as a result of a preliminary study of the process physical chemistry of hydrothermal KTP growth. 

Kunnmann, W., Ferreti, A. Wold, A. (1963). Flux growth of NiFc204 crystals by the Czochralski method. Journal of Applied Physics, 34, 1264. 

Remeika, l.P. (1954) A method for growing barium titanate single crystals, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 76, 940. Growth of BaTiOj by flux growth at Bell Labs. 

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