Domain and surface structures of sodium tungsten bronzes,NaxWo3 (0.4 < x < 1)

Polarized-light microscopic observations have shown that the birefringent, twin-domain structure of metallic sodium tungsten bronze is exhibited by Na-deficient surface films and hence is not, as had been reported elsewhere, a bulk property. The film can be synthesized by anodic electrolysis in alkaline solution. It is chemically inert, translucent, and often laminates to a multiple layer. The domain structure of the film is hypersensitive to lateral stress and to thermal variation, exhibiting a marked change at the phase transition of the substrate through apparent epitaxial coherence. The domain-wall movement is often slow enough to be visible, and the thermally induced domain modulation is occasionally accompanied by audible high-pitched sound. The bulk structure of the substrate exhibits pseudoperiodic subboundaries that are probably caused by growth defects and the segregation of the sodium atoms. The near-surface of the substrate also shows the sodium segregation that tends to precipitate in periodic patterns. Optical and morphological properties of the substrate structures exhibited no detectable change due to thermal variation or external stress.