What are Point Defects?
Those defects in the crystals which occur around an atom or particle are called point defects. These defects occur only at or around a single lattice point. They do not extend in space in any dimension. That’s why they are also called zero dimensional (0-D) defects. These are the smallest possible defects in any crystalline solid material. Point defects occur when –
One or more atoms of the crystal are missing from their corresponding lattice site.
Atom/s is shifted from its corresponding lattice site to interstitial position in the crystal.
Foreign atoms occupy the interstitial position in the crystal lattice.
Original atom of the crystal is replaced by foreign atom.
This article covers the meaning and the various types of point defects. The frequently asked questions at the end of the article can help you with your doubts if you incur any while reading the same.
Point Defect
A Localized disruption in the regularity of a lattice is known as a point effect. The size of the defect could be one or two atomic diameters which are just like a point. It only extends a few diameters beyond its lattice position.
Latest discuss some of the types of point defects
In a Crystal structure of metal when an atom misses from its lattice site, it is known as a vacancy or vacant lattice site. They can be di-vacancies or tri- vacancies.
When an atom occupies an interstitial site of the metal, it is known as Interstitial. Generally, the size of the interstitial is smaller than a vacancy. As compared to the number of vacancies, the number of interstitials is negligibly small in an ordinary metal.
When an atom is forced into an interstitial position from a normal lattice site by creating a vacancy, the resulting pair (which is a vacancy and the interstitially together) is known as a Frenkel Defect.
An impure atom is present on the lattice by substituting a lattice site atom then it is known to be a substitutional impurity atom. These may be larger or smaller than the normal atoms in the lattice.
Types of Point Defects
Point defects can be further divided into following types –
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Stoichiometric Defects – The compounds which obey the law of definite proportions, the law of constant composition and the law of conservation of mass are called stoichiometric compounds. The defects in crystals which do not disturb the stoichiometry of the compound or crystal are called stoichiometric defects.
Stoichiometric Defects can be Divided into Following Types
Vacancy Defect – The point defect which is produced when an atom goes missing from its original lattice site is called vacancy defect. It creates vacancy in the lattice site as shown in the diagram below –
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It results in a decrease in density of the substance. Number of vacancy defects depends on the temperature of the crystal. It occurs due to imperfect packing during crystallization.
Interstitial Defect – The point defect which occurs when an atom takes the interstitial position of the lattice structure is called interstitial defect. The atom can be of the same crystal or foreign crystal/material. If the atom is of the same crystal, then the defect is called self-interstitial defect. It is shown below through the diagram –
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This defect increases the density of the crystal. It causes atomic distortion.
Schottky Defect - Schottky defect is one such point defect which is observed in various crystals. Named after a German physicist, Walter H. Schottky, this defect occurs commonly in ionic crystals where the size of cation and anion is similar. Schottky defects usually occur when heat is applied to the ionic compound crystal. Heat raises the temperature, and hence the thermal vibration within the crystal. This creates gaps in the crystal pattern.
The point defect which occurs when cation and anion leave their corresponding lattice sites and create a pair of vacancy defects is called Schottky defect. In KCl crystals Schottky defect is found. It shown below –
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Schottky defect reduces the density of ionic compounds because a fraction of ions leaves the crystal, hence reducing the overall mass at the same crystal volume.
Frenkel Defect – Frenkel defect is also a point crystallographic defect which is usually observed in ionic compounds. It is named after a Soviet physicist Yakov Frenkel and is different from Schottky defect in terms of its occurrence and characteristics. Frenkel defect generally occurs in ionic compounds where the ions are of different sizes.
The point defect which occurs when cation displaces to interstitial voids is called Frenkel defect. In this defect cation gets displaced as it is smaller in size than anion. AgI, CaF2, NaCl exhibit the Frenkel defect. Frenkel defect in NaCl is shown below –
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This defect does not change the density of the crystal.
Non- Stoichiometric Defects – The defects in crystals which disturb the stoichiometry of the compound or crystal are called stoichiometric defects. Non – Stoichiometric defects can be divided into following two types –
Metal Excess Defects – As the name suggests in this defect metal ions occur in excess in the lattice of the crystal. It can take place by following two ways –
Anionic Vacancy – Anion goes missing from its corresponding lattice site and creates a vacancy. This vacancy is occupied by an electron to maintain the overall electric charge zero or neutral. It is called the F - center.
Actually, this F-center electron gives color to the compound.
Extra Cations – Sometimes in some crystals extra cation fits into the interstitial site on heating the crystal. Equal number of electrons do the same to maintain electrical neutrality of the crystal.
Metal Deficiency Defects – In some compounds there is a deficiency of metal than their ideal stoichiometric proportions. It is normally found in transition elements as they possess multiple valencies.
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FAQs on Crystal Defects : Point Defects
1. What exactly are crystal defects, and why are they important to study?
Crystal defects are essentially interruptions or irregularities in the otherwise perfect, repeating arrangement of atoms in a crystalline solid. They are not just mistakes; studying them is crucial because these defects are responsible for many of a material's most important properties, such as its electrical conductivity, strength, and even its colour.
2. What is a point defect in a crystal lattice?
A point defect is an imperfection that is localised to a single point or atom in the crystal structure. It is a zero-dimensional defect. The main types include:
- Stoichiometric defects: These do not disturb the ratio of positive and negative ions. Examples are the Schottky and Frenkel defects.
- Non-stoichiometric defects: These change the ratio of ions. Examples are metal excess or metal deficiency defects.
- Impurity defects: These occur when foreign atoms replace the host atoms or occupy interstitial sites.
3. What is the main difference between a Schottky defect and a Frenkel defect?
Both are point defects found in ionic solids. The key difference is how they are formed and their effect on the crystal's density.
- A Schottky defect occurs when an equal number of cations and anions are missing from their lattice sites to maintain electrical neutrality. This causes the density of the crystal to decrease. It is common in compounds like NaCl.
- A Frenkel defect occurs when a smaller ion (usually the cation) leaves its normal site and moves into an empty interstitial space. Since no atoms leave the crystal, the density remains unchanged. This is common in compounds like AgCl.
4. How do intrinsic and extrinsic point defects differ?
The main difference is their origin. Intrinsic defects, like Schottky and Frenkel defects, are present in a pure crystal due to thermodynamics; they are natural imperfections. In contrast, extrinsic defects are created intentionally or unintentionally when impurities are introduced into the host crystal, a process often called doping.
5. How do point defects affect the physical properties of a solid?
Point defects have a significant impact on a solid's properties. For example, a Schottky defect lowers the density of the crystal, while a Frenkel defect does not. Defects known as F-centres can absorb light, giving colour to otherwise colourless crystals like alkali halides. Most importantly, impurity defects are the basis for creating semiconductors, which drastically changes electrical conductivity.
6. Can you explain what causes a non-stoichiometric metal excess defect?
A metal excess defect occurs in two main ways. The most common is due to anionic vacancies, where a negative ion is missing and its place is taken by an electron to maintain charge balance. This trapped electron is called an F-centre. It can also happen if an extra positive ion occupies an interstitial site, with an electron elsewhere in an interstitial site to balance the charge.
7. Are crystal defects always a disadvantage or can they be useful?
While the term 'defect' sounds negative, they are often incredibly useful and essential for modern technology. For example, the entire field of electronics relies on intentionally creating impurity defects in silicon and germanium to make n-type and p-type semiconductors. The colour of many precious gemstones is also due to the presence of specific defects in their crystal structure.
