The thermal re-solution and growth of aggregate structures of divalent manganese that occur in monocrystalline sodium chloride

Abstract

Aggregate structures involving divalent manganese ions and cation vacancies have been observed directly with decoration and replica electron microscopy. The thermal behaviour of these aggregates in terms of their re-solution or growth with increasing or decreasing temperature has been investigated. Their growth or re-solution has also been correlated with the effect that such structures have upon the ionic conductivity of monocrystalline sodium chloride. Both processes are believed to be limited by the diffusivity of the manganese ions forming the aggregate structures.