Outline

Heating of multiple precursors is the primary processing route to advanced multicomponent ceramic materials. While precursors and products of the synthesis have been characterized intensively, the reaction is still a “black box.” Currently, a tremendous try-and-error effort is essential to develop new materials.

The aim of the research is to understand the reaction mechanism for rationally designing synthesis reactions to accelerate material science. In situ X-ray diffraction and in situ electron microscopy are used to observe how intermediates influence phase evolution in the synthesis. Computational modeling guides how thermodynamics and kinetics affect the synthesis. Combining these techniques, various functional materials needed for future society will be rationally synthesized.