Spinodal decomposition in the SiO$_2$–TiO$_2$ system and hierarchically organized nanostructures formation

Phase formation in the liquid phase separation region of the SiO$_2$–TiO$_2$ system was experimentally studied. A thermodynamically optimized phase diagram of the SiO$_2$–TiO$_2$ system has been constructed. The curve of phase spinodal decomposition was calculated. It is shown that the phase decomposition in the liquid phase region occurs through a spinodal mechanism at the melt rapid cooling. It has been experimentally demonstrated that this phenomenon leads to the formation of hierarchically organized nanostructures.