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Crystals
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Structure and Properties of Ceramic Materials
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Structure and Properties of Ceramic Materials

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Polycrystalline Ceramics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 4754

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrzej Kruk

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Technology, University of the National Education Commission, ul. Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland
Interests: transparent ceramics; Verdet constant; dielectric materials; luminescence; hydration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Dorota Sitko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Exact & Natural Sciences, Pedagogical University, ul. Podchorazych 2, 30-084 Krakow, Poland
Interests: ceramics; dielectric materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Crystals is a peer-reviewed, open access journal that publishes research spanning various aspects of the physicochemical and optical properties of crystals. It actively supports innovative investigations in the areas of optics and luminescence of ceramics materials. This Special Issue focuses on the magneto-optical properties, luminescence, and energy conversion of novel ceramics materials. The emphasis is on pioneering scientific studies that explore the relationships between processing techniques, microstructure, chemical composition, and the properties of crystals grown through different melting and growth methods.

Manuscripts submitted to this issue must provide a comprehensive description of the microstructure, along with a description of structural and spectroscopic results and the influence of synthesis and sintering or the melting procedure. The issue includes standard sections such as research papers, review articles, and perspectives, welcoming both experimental and theoretical contributions. Additionally, it features news, viewpoints, and research highlights that showcase the latest scientific advancements in ceramic materials research. With a commitment to quality, the Special Issue aims to offer strong support for authors, readers, and reviewers.

Dr. Andrzej Kruk
Dr. Dorota Sitko
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • magnetooptical properties
  • density
  • microstructure
  • luminescence
  • spectroscopy

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 5110 KiB  
Article
Effects of Nitrogen Partial Pressure on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High-Entropy Ti(C,N)-Based Gradient Cermets
by Yunhao Zhang, Houan Zhang, Dongxu Qiao, Xin Tao, Peng Xia and Siyong Gu
Crystals 2025, 15(5), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15050479 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
Titanium carbonitride (Ti(C,N))-based ceramics are widely utilized in mechanical machining, aerospace, and electronics, particularly in cutting tools and wear-resistant components. Two single-phase solid solution powders, non-high-entropy (Ti0.83,W0.07,Mo0.04,Nb0.03,Ta0.04)(C0.7,N0.3) and high-entropy [...] Read more.
Titanium carbonitride (Ti(C,N))-based ceramics are widely utilized in mechanical machining, aerospace, and electronics, particularly in cutting tools and wear-resistant components. Two single-phase solid solution powders, non-high-entropy (Ti0.83,W0.07,Mo0.04,Nb0.03,Ta0.04)(C0.7,N0.3) and high-entropy (Ti0.6,W0.1,Mo0.1,Nb0.1,Ta0.1)(C0.78,N0.22), were synthesized via the carbothermal reduction–nitridation (CRN) method. Gradient-structured non-high-entropy (C-TiCN) and high-entropy (HE-TiCN) cermets were fabricated at 1450 °C by tailoring the nitrogen partial pressure in the range of 1–8 kPa. The effect of nitrogen partial pressure on the microstructure and mechanical properties of both materials was thoroughly analyzed. Both materials exhibited a three-layer gradient structure comprising a hard-phase-enriched surface layer, a binder-rich subsurface layer, and a chemically uniform core. Optimal performance was achieved at 4 kPa nitrogen partial pressure, at which both HE-TiCN and C-TiCN exhibited a desirable combination of surface hardness and fracture toughness. Compared with C-TiCN, HE-TiCN showed improvements in surface hardness and fracture toughness at subsurface and core regions (40 µm from the surface) by 4.9%, 11.2%, and 12.0%, respectively. The enhanced surface hardness of HE-TiCN is attributed to the significant lattice distortion and the synergistic effects associated with its high-entropy configuration. The improved toughness of the binder-rich layer is primarily ascribed to mechanisms such as crack deflection, crack branching, and the formation of tear ridges. These findings offer a promising strategy for developing gradient Ti(C,N)-based cermets with enhanced mechanical performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Properties of Ceramic Materials)
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16 pages, 4320 KiB  
Article
Low-Cost Foamed Ceramics with Enhanced Mechanical Performance and Uniform Pore Size Structure
by Junchi Weng, Xiulin Shen, Yixian Yang, Xuejia Zhang, Mengke Fan, Ge Gao, Zeming Guo, Zhenfei Lv and Xiujuan Feng
Crystals 2025, 15(2), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15020180 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 534
Abstract
Due to the lack of effective utilization, fly ash and red mud accumulate in large quantities and cause serious harm to the environment. In this experiment, a low-cost preparation of foamed ceramics was realized by applying the foaming agent addition method using fly [...] Read more.
Due to the lack of effective utilization, fly ash and red mud accumulate in large quantities and cause serious harm to the environment. In this experiment, a low-cost preparation of foamed ceramics was realized by applying the foaming agent addition method using fly ash and red mud. The results indicated that temperature and foaming agent content significantly affected the macrostructure, microstructure, crystalline phases, and properties of the foamed ceramics. Specifically, a formulation comprising 45 wt.% fly ash, 45 wt.% red mud, 10 wt.% clay, and 1 wt.% SiC (addition), sintered at 1210 °C, yielded a compressive strength of 8.2 MPa, a bulk density of 1.17 g/cm3, a water absorption rate of 32.05%, and an apparent porosity of 37.59%. The as-prepared materials demonstrate potential as cost-effective building materials, putting forward an effective approach for the high-value utilization of fly ash and red mud. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Properties of Ceramic Materials)
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14 pages, 4265 KiB  
Article
Luminescence Investigation of BaMgF4 Ceramics Under VUV Synchrotron Excitation
by Amangeldy M. Zhunusbekov, Assel V. Strelkova, Zhakyp T. Karipbayev, Kuat K. Kumarbekov, Abdirash Akilbekov, Raigul N. Kassymkhanova, Murat T. Kassymzhanov, Yevheniia Smortsova and Anatoli I. Popov
Crystals 2025, 15(2), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15020127 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 760
Abstract
The luminescence properties of BaMgF4 ceramics synthesized using electron beam-assisted synthesis were investigated under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) synchrotron excitation at a cryogenic temperature of T = 9 K. Their excitation spectra, measured over the 4–10.8 eV range, and corresponding luminescence spectra revealed [...] Read more.
The luminescence properties of BaMgF4 ceramics synthesized using electron beam-assisted synthesis were investigated under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) synchrotron excitation at a cryogenic temperature of T = 9 K. Their excitation spectra, measured over the 4–10.8 eV range, and corresponding luminescence spectra revealed a complex multicomponent structure with emission maxima at 3.71, 3.55, 3.33, 3, and ~2.8 eV. The primary luminescence band at 330 nm was attributed to self-trapped excitons (STE) excited near the band edge (9.3–9.7 eV), indicating interband transitions and subsequent excitonic relaxation. Bands at 3 and ~2.8 eV were associated with defect states efficiently excited at 6.45 eV, 8 eV and high-energy transitions near 10.3 eV. The excitation spectrum showed distinct maxima at 5, 6.45, and 8 eV, which were interpreted as excitations of defect-related states. These results highlight the interplay between interband transitions, excitonic processes, and defect-related luminescence, which defines the complex dynamics of BaMgF4 ceramics. These findings confirm that radiation synthesis introduces defect centers influencing luminescent properties, making BaMgF4 a promising material for VUV and UV applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Properties of Ceramic Materials)
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19 pages, 8406 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Waste Electric Porcelain-Based Solar Energy-Absorbing Thermal Storage Ceramics with Interwoven Mullite Structure
by Xuejia Zhang, Zhenfei Lv, Junchi Weng, Mengke Fan, Feiyu Fan, Xin Wang, Xuyi Chen, Siqi Shi and Xiulin Shen
Crystals 2025, 15(1), 90; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst15010090 - 18 Jan 2025
Viewed by 967
Abstract
This study addresses the environmental and resource challenges posed by the growing volume of waste electric porcelain in the power industry by developing solar absorption and thermal storage integrated ceramics (SATS ceramics) from waste electric porcelain. These SATS ceramics, which feature an exceptional [...] Read more.
This study addresses the environmental and resource challenges posed by the growing volume of waste electric porcelain in the power industry by developing solar absorption and thermal storage integrated ceramics (SATS ceramics) from waste electric porcelain. These SATS ceramics, which feature an exceptional mullite structure, were crafted through the optimization of the sintering process. Notably, when sintered at 1400 °C with an 11 wt.% magnetite content, the resulting material boasts an optimal short-clustered, ordered, and interwoven columnar mullite structure. This structure endows the material with a remarkable flexural strength of 96.05 MPa and a specific heat capacity of up to 0.6415 J/(g* °C) at 300 °C, significantly enhancing its thermal energy storage efficiency. This research offers innovative insights into the high-value utilization of waste electric porcelain and the development of solar thermal storage materials, underscoring its significant environmental and economic advantages. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Properties of Ceramic Materials)
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17 pages, 3240 KiB  
Article
Comparative VUV Synchrotron Excitation Study of YAG: Eu and YAG: Cr Ceramics
by Amangeldy M. Zhunusbekov, Zhakyp T. Karipbayev, Akbota Tolegenova, Kuat K. Kumarbekov, Erik E. Nurmoldin, Muratbek M. Baizhumanov, Aleksei Kotlov and Anatoli I. Popov
Crystals 2024, 14(10), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst14100897 - 16 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2051
Abstract
Using synchrotron radiation, a comparative VUV excitation study of YAG ceramics doped with Eu3+ and Cr3+ ions under VUV excitation (10.5–3.7 eV) at 9 K was conducted in this work. Both ceramics exhibit distinct excitation peaks in the VUV region, indicating [...] Read more.
Using synchrotron radiation, a comparative VUV excitation study of YAG ceramics doped with Eu3+ and Cr3+ ions under VUV excitation (10.5–3.7 eV) at 9 K was conducted in this work. Both ceramics exhibit distinct excitation peaks in the VUV region, indicating high-energy transitions related to the internal electronic levels of the dopants and interband transitions within the YAG matrix. For YAG:Eu, the main excitation peaks at 6–7 eV correspond to transitions within the 4f-shell of Eu3+ and Eu3+-O2− charge transfer states, showing weak dependence on the crystal field and high energy conversion efficiency. In contrast, YAG:Cr shows broad excitation bands due to transitions between levels influenced by strong crystal field interactions, resulting in lower luminescence efficiency. The study highlights the importance of crystal structure and dopant interactions in determining the spectral characteristics of YAG-based ceramics, offering potential for their application in advanced optoelectronic devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Structure and Properties of Ceramic Materials)
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