Valence state mapping and quantitative electron spectroscopic imaging of exsolution in titanohematite by energy-filtered TEM

Abstract

 The microstructure of hematite-ilmenite exsolution intergrowth of a natural titanohematite crystal from a granulite has been investigated in a transmission electron microscope equipped with an energy filter. Special emphasis is on quantitative compositional mapping at the nanometre scale using electron spectroscopic imaging, as well as mapping the Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ valence distribution in the intergrowth. Quantitative point analyses by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis have been compared with results from electron energy-loss spectroscopy and element-distribution mapping. The results indicate that the coexisting compositions of the two phases (Ilm₈₈Hem₁₂ and Ilm₁₆Hem₈₄) are independent of the size of the exsolution. The application of quantitative mapping to determining diffusion profiles around precipitates is demonstrated.