A Comprehensive Review of High-Pressure Laser-Induced Materials Processing, Part III: Laser Reactive Synthesis within Diamond Anvil Cells

oleh: Mohamad E. Alabdulkarim, Wendy D. Maxwell, Vibhor Thapliyal, James L. Maxwell

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-03-01

Deskripsi

The synthesis of advanced materials at high pressures has been an area of growing research interest for several decades. This article is the third in a three-part series that reviews <b><i>Laser Materials Processing Within Diamond Anvil Cells</i></b> (L-DACs). Part III focuses on the practice of <b><i>Laser Reactive Synthesis Within Diamond Anvil Cells (LRS-DAC)</i></b>. During LRS-DAC processing, chemicals are precompressed within diamond anvil cells, then <i>microscale chemical reactions</i> are induced by focused laser beams. The method is distinguished from the well-known <b><i>Laser-Heated Diamond Anvil Cell (LH-DAC)</i></b> technique (see Part I) through the existence of chemical precursors (reactants), end-products, and quantifiable changes in <i>chemical composition</i> upon reaction. LRS-DAC processing provides at least three new degrees of freedom in the search for advanced materials (beyond adjusting static pressures and temperatures), namely: laser-excitation/cleavage of chemical bonds, time-dependent reaction kinetics via pulsed lasers, and pressure-dependent chemical kinetics. All of these broaden the synthetic phase space considerably. Through LRS-DAC experimentation, it is possible to obtain increased understanding of high-pressure chemical kinetics—and even the nature of chemical bonding itself. Here, LRS-DAC experimental methods are reviewed, along with the underlying chemistry/physics of high-pressure microchemical reactions. A chronology of key events influencing the development of LRS-DAC systems is provided, together with a summary of novel materials synthesised, and unusual chemical reactions observed. Current gaps in knowledge and emerging opportunities for further research are also suggested.