Abstract
Size-dependent softening characteristics of electrodeposited solid core, hollow, C-shaped, and x-shaped nanocrystalline (nc) nickel pillars with outer diameters of ~520nm were investigated by using uniaxial micro-compression techniques. Flow stress results show that only complex-shaped pillars with an average grain size of ~9.4nm prepared with saccharine containing electrolytes soften with decreasing sample sizes and volume-to-surface area ratios. Interestingly, large grain (~18.2nm) specimens prepared with saccharine-free electrolytes do not exhibit this softening behavior. Size-dependent softening may be due to the enhanced grain boundary-mediated deformation in the small grain pillars caused by segregation of the electrolyte additives at the grain boundaries.
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