Phase change materials are essential to a number of technologies ranging from optical data storage to energy storage and transport applications. This widespread interest has given rise to a substantial effort to develop bulk phase change materials well suited for desired applications. Here, we suggest a novel and complementary approach, the use of binary eutectic alloy nanoparticles embedded within a matrix. Using GeSn nanoparticles embedded in silica as an example, we establish that the presence of a nanoparticle/matrix interface enables one to stabilize both nanobicrystal and homogeneous alloy morphologies. Further, the kinetics of switching between the two morphologies can be tuned simply by altering the composition.

Cathodoluminescent (CL) powders of zinc aluminate activated with samarium ions have been prepared by a co‐precipitation chemical process. Different doping concentrations in the start mixture and sintering temperatures for the precipitated powder were studied. It was observed that the crystalline characteristics of the powders depend upon the sintering temperature. For temperatures higher than 450 °C, the powders presented the cubic spinel phase with a lattice parameter value of 8.0756 Å, and grain sizes from 50 to 100 nm with semispherical shape. The CL emission spectra showed broad bands localized at 564, 602, 644, and 703 nm associated with 4G5/2 → 6H5/2, 4G5/2 → 6H7/2, 4G5/2 → 6H9/2, and 4G5/2 → 6H11/2 transitions in the Sm3+ ions, respectively. Concentration quenching of the cathodoluminescence occurred at about 4.26 at% of the activator (Sm) concentration inside the sintered powders. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The equilibrium structure of embedded nanocrystals formed from strongly segregating binaryalloys is considered within a simple thermodynamic model. The model identifies two dimensionless interface energies that dictate the structure, and allows prediction of the stable structure for any choice of these parameters. The resulting structure map includes three distinct nanocrystal morphologies: core/shell, lobe/lobe, and completely separated spheres.