Ni–YSZ(111) solid–solid interfacial energy

Abstract

Solid-state dewetting of continuous Ni films deposited on the (111) surface of yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was used to produce equilibrated Ni particles, and the solid–solid interface energy was determined using Winterbottom analysis. The ~150 nm thick Ni films were dewetted (annealed) at 1350 °C in Ar + H2 (99.9999 %) at an oxygen partial pressure of 10−20 atm for 6 h. Transmission electron microscopy of equilibrated particles was conducted, and two low-energy low-index orientation relationships were found: \( {\text{Ni[1}}\overline{ 1} 0 ] ( 1 1 1 )\left\| {{\text{YSZ[1}}\overline{ 1} 0 ]} \right. ( 1 1 1 ) \) and \( {\text{Ni[}}\overline{ 1} 1 0 ] ( 1 1 1 )\left\| {{\text{YSZ[1}}\overline{ 1} 0 ]} \right. ( 1 1 1 ) \), and the interface energies were measured to be 1.8 ± 0.1 and 2.1 ± 0.1 J/m2, respectively. A model including grain growth concurrent with dewetting is used to explain the formation of the higher energy orientation relationship.