Liquid-diffusion-limited growth of vanadium dioxide single crystals

• Published in: Physical review research 2023-01, Vol.5 (1), p.013028, Article 013028
• Main Authors: Sprinkart, Nico, Kazenwadel, Daniel, Hartmann, Roman, Baum, Peter
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2643-1564; 2643-1564
• DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.5.013028

Vanadium dioxide is a strongly correlated material with an ultrafast first-order phase transition between monoclinic/insulator and rutile/metallic close to room temperature. The unusual and complex properties of this transition make VO_{2} one of the most heavily investigated materials in modern condensed matter physics. Consequently, high-quality single crystals are in large demand. Here we report the growth of mm-sized VO_{2} crystals by thermal decomposition of liquid V_{2}O_{5} at ∼1000^{∘}C. Time-resolved zirconia sensor measurements of the oxygen release reveal that the crystal growth rate is limited by liquid-phase diffusion; the properties of the gaseous environment, which were previously assumed to be decisive, are almost insignificant. Consequently, large and stoichiometric single crystals of VO_{2} can be obtained at lower temperatures and gas purities than usually applied. These results signify the role of gas-liquid diffusion in crystal growth and will simplify future research on VO_{2} and related materials for applications in ultrafast electronics and thermal energy management.