What is impurity defects?
What is impurity defects?
The distortion of crystal lattice when an impurity (foreign atom/ ion) occupies an interstitial site in the lattice or replaces the parent atom/ ion in the regular sites is called an impurity defect.
Substitution impurity defect: If the cationic impurity is substituted in the place of a regular cation, then it is called a substitution impurity defect.
Example: The formation of brass alloy takes place when some zinc cations from their regular sites are replaced by copper ions.
Interstitial impurity defect: If the cationic impurity is present in the interstitial positions of a regular lattice then it is called an interstitial impurity defect. The interstitial impurity defect changes the properties of the original crystalline solids.
Example: The formation of stainless steel takes place when some carbon atoms occupy the interstitial sites of the iron lattice.
The distortion of crystal lattice when an impurity (foreign atom/ ion) occupies an interstitial site in the lattice or replaces the parent atom/ ion in the regular sites is called an impurity defect.
Substitution impurity defect: If the cationic impurity is substituted in the place of a regular cation, then it is called a substitution impurity defect.
Example: The formation of brass alloy takes place when some zinc cations from their regular sites are replaced by copper ions.
Interstitial impurity defect: If the cationic impurity is present in the interstitial positions of a regular lattice then it is called an interstitial impurity defect. The interstitial impurity defect changes the properties of the original crystalline solids.
Example: The formation of stainless steel takes place when some carbon atoms occupy the interstitial sites of the iron lattice.
