Abstract
Epitaxial films of the pyrochlore Nd2Ir2O7 have been grown on (111)-oriented yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrates by off-axis sputtering followed by post-growth annealing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results demonstrate phase-pure epitaxial growth of the pyrochlore films on YSZ. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) investigation of an Nd2Ir2O7 film with a short post-annealing provides insight into the mechanism for crystallization of Nd2Ir2O7 during the post-annealing process. STEM images reveal clear pyrochlore ordering of Nd and Ir in the films. The epitaxial relationship between the YSZ and Nd2Ir2O7 is observed clearly while some interfacial regions show a thin region with polycrystalline Ir nanocrystals.
Highlights
Nd2Ir2O7 powders were synthesized in an evacuated silica tube and their structural properties were analyzed using laboratory as well as synchrotron X-ray diffraction
We report growth of Nd2Ir2O7 epitaxial films using off-axis magnetron sputtering followed by post-annealing
XRD results demonstrate phase-pure epitaxial shows metallic Ir nanoparticles filling the void space at the island growth front
Summary
Nd2Ir2O7 powders were synthesized in an evacuated silica tube and their structural properties were analyzed using laboratory as well as synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Nd2Ir2O7 grows by the formation of epitaxial nucleation sites exclusively at the YSZ interface that slowly absorb the surrounding amorphous material forming a [111]-oriented crystalline film
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