Direct visualization of chemical transport in solid-state chemical reactions by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Systematic control and design of solid-state chemical reactions is required for modifying materials properties and in novel synthesis. Understanding chemical dynamics at the nanoscale is therefore essential to reveal the key reactive pathways. Herein, we combine focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) to track the migration of sodium from a borate coating to the oxide scale during in situ hot corrosion testing. We map the changing distribution of chemical elements and compounds from 50 to 850 °C to reveal how sodium diffusion induces corrosion. The results are validated by in situ X-ray diffraction and post-mortem TOF-SIMS. We additionally retrieve the through-solid sodium diffusion rate by fitting measurements to a Fickian diffusion model. This study presents a step-change in analysing microscopic diffusion mechanics with high chemical sensitivity and selectivity, a widespread analytical challenge that underpins the defining rates and mechanisms of solid-state reactions.