EXAFS analysis of Zr-based quasicrystals

The character of transformation of the local environment of zirconium and palladium atoms in Zr₇₀Pd₃₀ binary alloy at a transition from the amorphous state to the quasicrystalline and crystalline states and in Zr₇₀Be₃₀ and Zr₈₀Pt₂₀ binary alloys at a transition from the amorphous to the quasicrystalline state have been investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The parameters of the zirconium, palladium, and platinum local environment are determined, and the general features and differences in the local atomic rearrangement during formation of icosahedral clusters around zirconium atoms in these three compounds are established.