Flux growth of straw‐like rutile monocrystals

Millimetric straw‐like rutile monocrystals were grown by the flux growth technique. A suitable mixture of flux (MoO₃, V₂O₅, Li₂CO₃) and amorphous TiO₂ gel was slowly cooled down to 750°C from 1250°C or 1350°C. The best yields of straw‐like rutile were obtained with a nutrient/flux ratio and a cooling rate in the range 0.015‐0.006 and 1.8‐1.9 K h^‐1, respectively. The hollowed crystals were characterized by powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, microthermometry, and µ‐Raman spectroscopy. As for skeletal crystal, the formation of axial canals in rutile is attributed to a lack of nutrient due to the viscosity of the melt and the high growth rate along 001]. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)