| The NZP family, which gets its name after the prototype
composition NaZr2P30 12, has received much attention in
recent times because of their very low coefficient of ther·
mal expansion (CTE), controlled lattice thermal expansion
anisotropy, fast ionic conductivity, high thermal and
chemical stability and flexibility towards ionic substitu·
tions. Such materials can find widespread applications as
exhaust components in automobiles, mirror blank for
optical telescope, substrate materials for electronic
packaging, as well as in sulphur batteries, nuclear waste
immobilization, port-liners for diesel engines, braze fix·
tures for aircraft engines etc. The low expansion
behaviour of NZP materials has been attributed to : (i)
strongly bonded 3-dimensional network structure, (ii) existence
of structural holes which may absorb some of the
thermal vibrations and (iii) anisotropy in the thermal expansion
of the lattice. In this overview the crystal structure,
synthesis, thermal expansion behaviour and possible
applications of NZP materials have been described. |
