Nanoscale defect structures at crystal–glass interfaces

A theoretical model of two-phase crystal–glass composite materials is suggested which is based on the disclination description of glassy structures. In the framework of the model, the crystal–glass composite is described as a solid that contains nanoscale configurations of disclination–dislocation loops in the glassy phase. Specific defects at the crystal–glass interface are defined and theoretically described which are misfit disclinations generated as extensions of parent wedge disclinations present in the glassy phase. In doing so, the defect ensemble in the crystal–glass composite is characterized by nanoscale inhomogeneities in both the defect density and stress in the vicinity of the crystal–glass interface. The formulae for the stress fields created by ensembles of the disclination–dislocation loops in crystal–glass composites are derived. With these formulae, the energy of the crystal–glass interface is estimated.