Acoustic Shock Wave-Induced Superheating-Supercooling Driven Optical and Morphological Changes in α-In ₂ Te ₃ , with Preservation of Cubic Phase

For use in optoelectronics, energy storage, and phase-change memory systems, indium telluride (α-In2Te3) is a highly desirable semiconductor material. Nevertheless, α-In2Te3 is not very stable under harsh environmental conditions. Investigation of the impact of acoustic shock waves on α-In2Te3 has not yet been studied. This study examined the structural, optical, and morphological behavior of α-In2Te3 by subjecting it to 100, 200, 300, and 400 shock pulses at 0.59 MPa pressure, 520 K temperature, and 1.5 Mach number. Extensive characterization was performed using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis DRS, and FE-SEM. XRD and Raman results showed that there was no degradation in the crystal structure from 100 to 400 shock pulses; instead, there were merely small shifts observed in the diffraction peak during 100, 200, and 300 shock pulses; at 400 shock pulses, it reverts back to its original positions. FE-SEM images showed clear morphological evolution between 100, 200 and 300 shock pulses, which can be explained as resulting from shock wave-driven superheating and supercooling-induced dynamic recrystallization processes. Remarkably, the material reformed and revert back into its original morphology after 400 shock pulses, indicates like a partially reversible change in morphology. The results show that dynamic recrystallization leads to switchable changes in morphology, like a phase-change memory behavior. Overall, this research recognizes acoustic shock waves as a valuable means of adapting changes in optical and partial reversible morphological properties with structural stability intact, leading the way to functional material engineering and processing strategies.