Particle Film Research Articles

Kaolin particle films disrupt landing, settling behavior and feeding of Trioza erytrae on lemon plants.

The citrus greening disease or Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most devastating disease of citrus crops. Trioza erytreae is a vector of HLB. Since its introduction in Europe, the insect reached the northern region of Spain and the southern region of Portugal, threatening relevant citrus production areas. Limiting the spread of HLB vectors is mandatory to prevent this disease. In this work, we assessed the effect of kaolin, a white mineral clay, on the landing, settling behavior and feeding behavior of Trioza erytreae on lemon plants. After kaolin application, the number of plants on which the insect was found was significantly lower than on untreated plants in the laboratory and in the field. Moreover, there were significantly fewer T.erytreae and a shorter duration of phloem-related events on kaolin-treated than untreated plants. The use of kaolin could be a suitable and efficient tool for inclusion into integrated pest management programs or organic production to reduce populations of T.erytreae and subsequently limit the spread of HLB in citrus crops. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Futuristic Progress of Natural Emulsifiers in the Enhancement of Drug Delievery System and their Applications in Selected Medical Therapeutics

Food manufacturers are being encouraged to employ more natural and sustainable food components as a result of consumer concerns about human and environmental health. Synthetic components are being replaced with natural ingredients, while animal-based ingredients are being replaced with plant-based elements. Phospholipids, biosurfactants, proteins, polysaccharides, and natural colloidal particles are some of the natural emulsifiers that might be used in the food sector. Natural emulsifiers may be used more frequently in food items, resulting in a healthier and more sustainable food supply. More study is needed, however, to find, isolate, and characterize novel sources of economically viable natural emulsifiers suited for food applications. Foods, cosmetics, detergents, and personal care items are among the commercial products that are under increasing consumer demand to be more natural, sustainable, and ecologically friendly. As a result, the industry has attempted to develop natural alternatives to synthetic functional components in these goods. Natural emulsifiers such as amphiphilic proteins, polysaccharides, biosurfactants, phospholipids, and bioparticles are being used to replace synthetic surfactants. The physicochemical foundation of emulsion generation and stability by natural emulsifiers is explored in depth, as well as the benefits and limits of various natural emulsifiers. Single emulsions, such as water-in-oil and oil-in-water, and multiple emulsions, such as water-in-oil-in-water, are the most common types of emulsions. Emulsifier / emulgent is a chemical that increases the kinetic energy of an emulsion to stabilise it. Emulsifiers are separated into four types based on their chemical structure: synthetic, natural, finely split solids, and auxiliary agents; and three types based on their mode of action: monomolecular films, multimolecular films, and solid particle films. Surface tension theory, surface orientation theory, and plastic/interfacial film theory are some of the ideas that aid in the understanding of the emulsification process. emulsion, natural emulsifiers, biosurfactants, emulsion technology, water-in-oil.

Micro-Explosion mechanism of iron hybrid Methane-Air premixed flames

Compared to gaseous hydrocarbon flame, a metal hybrid flame has higher energy and even has a higher flame temperature. This study explored the micro-explosion mechanisms of iron particles in methane-air premixed flames. Four different particle sizes were used in this experiment, that is 2–10 μm, 50 μm, 100 μm, and 150 μm. A conical methane-air premixed flame was fixed in a stoichiometric condition and doped with iron particles at various feeding rates. The 50- and 100-μm iron particles had a 20% and 500% higher micro-explosion probability than the 2–10-μm particles. The micro-explosion probability would increase with the increase of particle size. In addition, the micro-explosion probability of the 2–10 μm iron particles was 125% higher under 10% CO addition than under no CO addition. CO plays a critical role in increasing the micro-explosion probability of iron particles smaller than 50 µm.Regarding the mechanism of the micro-explosion of iron particles, the oxidizer diffuses into iron particles and produces iron oxide in a thin shell. However, limited oxygen heterogeneously reacts over the surface of the iron particles and produces Fe3O4. Fe3O4 comprises FeO and Fe2O3. However, when CO reacts Fe3O4, this reaction makes Fe3O4 redox into fresh Fe particles, whereas it will lead to FeO while Fe reacts with O2 predominantly. The presence of FeO brings about iron particles blinking and shrinking right after passing the flame front. When CO was dominated in the reaction, it gave rise to the formation of Fe(CO)5 gas bubbles in the film of iron particles. During the agglomeration of the bubbles, incorporating Fe(CO)5, CO, O2, and N2, the iron particles expand gradually and become hollow spherical particles eventually. However, under special conditions, this particle expansion will deteriorate the micro-explosion of the iron particles.

Physiological Study of the Efficacy of Archer® Eclipse in the Protection against Sunburn in Cucumber Plants

Sunburn is an important issue affecting the yield of many crops, mainly in arid and semi-arid regions. Excessive solar radiation and high temperatures can reduce growth and cause leaf chlorosis, oxidative stress, and photosynthesis impairment. It is thus necessary to develop agricultural techniques to protect plants in a cost-effective and reproducible manner. A potential method is through the spray of protective compounds based on particulate films, such as those based on kaolin. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of spraying the protective product Archer® Eclipse, created by Atlántica Agrícola S.A. (Alicante, Spain), on sunburn damage in a sensitive species such as the cucumber plants (Cucumis sativus L.). To evaluate the effects of sunburn on the plants, parameters related to biomass, leaf temperature, photosynthesis, and oxidative stress were analysed. Plants sprayed with Archer® Eclipse showed fewer sunburn symptoms and obtained 43% more shoot biomass than those that were not treated. In addition, plants sprayed with Archer® Eclipse showed 3 °C lower leaf temperatures, higher photosynthesis performance, 88% more water use efficiency, and 21% more chlorophyll concentration. Finally, plants treated with Archer® Eclipse presented 6% less accumulations of carotenoids and 67% less total phenols, but lower oxidative stress indicators. In conclusion, this study confirms the efficiency of Archer® Eclipse in protecting a sensitive vegetable plant such as the cucumber from sunburn-inducing conditions.

Multifunctional Silica-Modified Hybrid Microgels Templated from Inverse Pickering Emulsions.

Microgels are regarded as soft colloids with environmental responsiveness. However, the majority of reported microgels are inherently hydrophilic, resulting in aqueous dispersions, and only used in water-based applications. Herein, we reported an efficient method for hybridization of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) microgel by coating hydrophobic silica nanoparticles on their surface. The resultant hybrid microgel had switchable surface wettability and could be dispersed in both aqueous and oil phases. Meanwhile, the coated hydrophobic silica nanoparticles solved the difficulty in redispersing microgels caused by particle aggregation and film formation during the drying process, providing a significant advantage in dried storage. Furthermore, the introduction of hydrophobic silica nanoparticles endowed the hybrid microgel with a variety of applications, including cargo encapsulation, active release induced by emulsion reversion, and trace water absorption.

Broadband, Angle- and Polarization-Invariant Antireflective and Absorbing Films by a Scalable Synthesis of Monodisperse Silicon Nanoparticles.

Optically induced magnetic resonances (OMRs) are highly tunable scattering states that cannot be reproduced in systems that only support electric resonances, such as in metals, lossy, or low-index materials. Despite offering unique scattering and coupling behavior, the study of OMRs in thin films has been limited by synthesis and simulation constraints. We report on the absorption and scattering response of OMR-based thin films composed of monodisperse crystalline silicon nanoparticles synthesized using a scalable nonthermal plasma growth technique and tractable simulation framework. The synthesis is solvent and ligand free, ensuring minimal contamination, and crystalline particles form with high yield and a narrow size distribution at close to room temperature. Using a scalable high-throughput deposition method, we deposit random particle films, without the need of a solid host matrix, showing near complete blackbody absorption at the collective OMR. This is achieved using 70% less material than an optimized antireflective-coated crystalline silicon thin film. The film exhibits strongly directional forward scattering with very low reflectivity, thus giving rise to angle- and polarization-insensitive antireflection properties across the visible spectrum. We find that, while commonly used effective medium models cannot capture the optical response, a modified effective medium accounting for multipole resonances and interparticle coupling shows excellent agreement with experiment. The effective permittivity and permeability are written in a mode and cluster resolved form, providing useful insight into how individual resonances and nanoparticle clusters affect the overall film response. Electric and magnetic-mode coupling show dramatically different behavior, resulting in uniquely different spectral broadening.

Preparation and application of uniform TiO2 electrospun nanofiber based on pickering emulsion stabilized by TiO2/amphiphilic sodium alginate/polyoxyethylene

Control over the self-assembly of micro- and nano-scopic building blocks is highly important but very challenging in the fabrication of many hierarchical composite materials. We prepared a novel electrospun nanofiber on the basis of Pickering emulsion synergy-stabilized by titanium dioxide/modified sodium alginate/polyoxyethylene(TiO2/Ugi-Alg/PEO). The emulsion stability was evaluated using turbiscan stability index, rheology and confocal laser scanning microscope. The results showed that TiO2/Ugi-Alg/PEO could form a relatively thick interfacial particle film at the oil-water interface, which was helpful to reduce the extent of agglomeration among droplets due to the steric hindrance mechanism. Pickering emulsion was utilized as a template to prepare nanofibers with uniform and orderly distribution of TiO2 by electrospinning technology, which had a good photodegradation effect on pesticide lambda-cyhalothrin residues. The self-assembly of nanoparticles at the oil-water interface and its combination with electrospinning technology to prepare nanofibers containing TiO2 photodegradation activity are expected to be a new strategy to avoid pesticide long persistence period in the soil environment.

Kaolin particle film limits grapevine downy mildew epidemic under open‐field conditions and stimulates the plant defence response

Background and Aims Grapevine downy mildew, the most destructive grapevine disease caused by Plasmopara viticola, requires more environmentally friendly control measures. A chemically inert kaolin particle film (KPF) was tested for the control of downy mildew. Methods and Results Grapevines were pretreated with KPF before P. viticola infection under field conditions, then an epidemic was monitored for 2 years (2020 and 2021). A 6% KPF pretreatment significantly delayed the epidemic onset by 1–2 weeks and decreased the disease index by 30% compared to the untreated vines. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde in leaves was reduced by the KPF treatment, indicating mitigation of the oxidative damage caused by P. viticola infection. The protective effect of the application of KPF may be due to the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and antioxidant metabolites. The activity of disease resistance enzymes and the expression of related genes were also increased by KPF treatment. Conclusions Kaolin particle film reduced grapevine downy mildew and reinforced the defence response of grapevines cultivated in the field. Significance of the Study The positive effect of KPF against downy mildew for grapevines in the field indicated that there is potential to develop KPF for the control of downy mildew.

Crack quasi-healing in films of vertically aligned 1D nanostructures: Impact of compliance in a 1D geometry

We study nanostructured films made of helical nanowires and nanosprings, which provide remarkable mechanical behavior. When subjected to wetting and drying processes, these films crack like most coatings. However, beyond the great ability of these films to shrink, the cracks partially close when these films are no longer mechanically stressed. While for conventional coatings about 20% of the crack opening is relieved, more than 80% of the crack opening is relieved in films of nanosprings when the film is unloaded. We show here that this quasi-reversibility is related to (i) the high compliance of the material, (ii) the low energy consumed by plasticity, and (iii) the high deformability of the film components, e.g., the nanosprings. These results are compared to the case of usual particulate films.

Particle Film Improves the Physiology and Productivity of Sweet Potato without Affecting Tuber’s Physicochemical Parameters

In tropical areas, the lower productivity of sweet potato has been related to unfavorable climatic conditions, as heat stress caused by high temperatures limits the optimal genotypic expression of plants. Innovative techniques, such as particle films, have been proposed to reduce productivity loss caused by such conditions. Herein, we examine whether applying calcium oxide particle films could minimize heat stress on sweet potato under field conditions, reflecting higher productivity. For this purpose, sweet potato plants were exposed to four concentrations of calcium oxide particle film (0, 5, 10, and 15% w/v) applied onto leaves and assessed regarding the physiological, physicochemical, and productivity parameters. Overall, in plants treated with calcium oxide particle films, the photosynthetic rate, intercellular CO2 concentration, water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency increased compared to untreated plants. Moreover, we observe a reduction in leaf temperature and stomatal conductance of up to 6.8% and 45%, respectively, in sweet potato plants treated with 10% w/v, resulting in higher productivity (34.97 ton ha−1) compared to the control (21.55 ton ha-1). No effect is noted on tuber physicochemical parameters. In summary, the application of a calcium oxide particle film seems to favor sweet potato crops, alleviating the stress caused by hot climatic conditions in tropical regions.

Interplay of orientational order and roughness in simulated thin film growth of anisotropically interacting particles.

Roughness and orientational order in thin films of anisotropic particles are investigated using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations on a cubic lattice. Anisotropic next-neighbor interactions between the lattice particles were chosen to mimic the effects of shape anisotropy in the interactions of disk- or rodlike molecules with van der Waals attractions. Increasing anisotropy leads first to a preferred orientation in the film (which is close to the corresponding equilibrium transition) while the qualitative mode of roughness evolution (known from isotropic systems) does not change. At strong anisotropies, an effective step-edge (Ehrlich-Schwoebel) barrier appears and a nonequilibrium roughening effect is found, accompanied by reordering in the film which can be interpreted as the nucleation and growth of domains of lying-down disks or rods. The information on order and roughness is combined into a diagram of dynamic growth modes.

The Advantages of Using Kaolin-Based Particle Films to Improve Coffee Production in the Minas Gerais Cerrado Biome

Climate change, such as increases in atmospheric air temperature, threatens Brazilian coffee production, which is mainly carried out on small rural properties in a family farming model. Increases in air temperature causes heat stress to the plants, resulting in physiological damage. This work studied the application of processed kaolinite-based particle films (PKPF) as part of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. This innovative technology aims to increase the productivity of coffee grown in full sunlight and evaluate the interest of coffee growers in incorporating this input in the management of crops as an alternative to the traditional model of increasing production through the expansion of cultivated areas. This is a review of the state of the art of the use of PKPF in coffee, and a descriptive and exploratory research, supported by a literature review and field data collected, through a structured questionnaire applied to a group of coffee producers from the Cerrado in Minas Gerais. The concept of environmentally sustainable coffee production is latent among coffee growers, who adopt practical actions to respect and preserve the environment during the production process. Increases in productivity are related to the adoption of technological innovations such as the use of PKPF in the management of plantations, being a viable alternative to increasing the plantation areas, and thus reducing native vegetation.

TiO2 anatase and rutile grains and the effect of particle printing on porphyrin adsorption

Nanoparticle formulation and processing represents a pressing challenge in developing efficient and reproducible routes for the generation of functionalized TiO2 particle films. Powders and inkjet printed (IJP) films of TiO2 nanoparticles were evaluated with regard to their interfacial self-metalation activity toward 2H tetraphenylporphyrin (2HTPP). Respective reaction corresponds to the transfer of a titanyl group (Ti-O)2+ from the particle surface to the macrocycle and its incorporation into the center of the macrocycle. Reactive porphyrin adsorption and self-metalation were investigated with Vis diffuse reflectance (DR) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy after porphyrin contact with both dehydroxylated TiO2 anatase and TiO2 rutile grains in vacuum. Additional spectroscopic changes occur upon subsequent contact with water vapor or air and the resulting coincidence of the band positions with those measured for the solution spectra reveal that co-adsorbed water molecules do assist in the reorganization of metalated porphyrins at the grain surfaces. We discuss the impact of TiO2 polymorphism and grain integration into inkjet-printed films on the adsorption and optical properties of the adsorbed porphyrins. Finally, a systematic comparison of gas phase functionalization of particles with porphyrins with corresponding wet-chemical approaches in toluene solution reveal solvent-assisted inhibition effects in the reactive adsorption of free-base porphyrins on TiO2 grains.

Synthesis of ternary copper antimony sulfide via solventless thermolysis or aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition using metal dithiocarbamates

Copper antimony sulfide (Cu-Sb-S) has recently been proposed as an attractive alternative photovoltaic material due to the earth-abundant and non-toxic nature of the elements, high absorption coefficients and band gaps commensurate with efficient harvesting of solar photonic flux across multiple phases of Cu-Sb-S. These materials are therefore highly desirable and sustainable and scalable deposition techniques to produce them are of interest. In this paper, we demonstrate two facile, low-temperature and inexpensive techniques (solventless thermolysis and aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD)) for the preparation of binary digenite (Cu1.8S), chalcocite (Cu2S) and stibnite (Sb2S3) and several phases of ternary copper-antimony-sulfide (Cu2xSb2(1−x)Sy, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 1). It was found that by utilising these different techniques and varying the ratio of Cu:Sb, pure phases of ternary chalcostibite (CuSbS2), fematinite (Cu3SbS4) and tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) can be achieved. Two single-source precursors were investigated for this purpose, namely the diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) complexes of copper and antimony Cu(DTC)2 and Sb(DTC)3. These were decomposed both individually (to produce binary materials) and combined (to produce ternary materials) at different ratios. From the solventless thermolysis and AACVD methods, either particulate or thin film material was formed, respectively. These materials were then characterised by powder XRD, SEM, EDX and Raman spectroscopies to determine the crystalline phase, material morphology and uniformity of elemental composition. This analysis demonstrated that as the Cu-content increases, the phase of the ternary material changes from chalcostibite (CuSbS2) and fematinite (Cu3SbS4) at a low Cu:Sb ratio to tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) at a high Cu:Sb ratio.

Bilayer Lubricant‐Infused Particulate Films as Slippery Protective Coatings with Durable Anticorrosion and Antifouling Performance (Adv. Mater. Interfaces 11/2022)

Slippery Colloidal Coatings In article number 2102144, Chih-Hsuan Chien, Han-Yu Hsueh, and co-workers report durable slippery colloidal coatings created through infiltration of colloidal particulate films with multilayer lubricant. The coatings exhibit remarkable surface-protective performance, including anticorrosion, antifouling, self-healing, anti-icing, and self-cleaning properties. They have various applications, such as fuel transport, self-cleaning windows, anticorrosion protection, nontoxic coatings for medical devices, and optical instruments.

Understanding the effects of mix proportion parameters on the dynamic stability of ground limestone mortar based on the velocity of particle and paste film thickness

Dynamic stability is the key performance affecting the workability of mortar and also has important effects on the mechanical properties, durability, etc. In this study, the influences of mix proportion parameters including content and fineness of ground limestone, water to binder ratio and aggregate to binder ratio, etc. on dynamic stability were studied based on slump-flow test and flow trough test. Results showed that the two methods are consistent in evaluating the dynamic stability. The increase of ground limestone fineness and aggregate to binder ratio can improve the dynamic stability. The ADG and DSI can increase by about 16.7% and 142% when W/B increases by 1%. With the increase of 0.1% of SP content, the ADG and DSI can increase by about 58.5% and 295%.The velocity of a single sand and paste film thickness of mortar were determined to explore the reasons for dynamic stability changes. It was found that the velocity of a single sand can not characterize the effect of aggregate content on the dynamic stability and the paste film thickness fails to explain the influences of rheological properties of cement paste on the dynamic stability. The combination of velocity of a single sand and paste film thickness can provide a new view to understand the variation of dynamic stability.

Sulphuric acid decomposition using Cr–Fe2O3 catalyst in a tubular Packed Bed Reactor (PBR): Modeling and experimental studies

Catalytic decomposition of sulphur trioxide (SO3), is the rate-controlling and high temperature-endothermic reaction step in three-step decomposition of sulphuric acid. In this work, formulation of one dimensional (1-D) model, detailed transport modeling and experimental studies have been carried out for a non-isothermal, non-adiabatic, tubular-Packed Bed Reactor (PBR). This is to study the effect of heat and mass transfer resistances, in the catalyst bed and also within the catalyst particle, for the decomposition of SO3. 1-D model consists of set of coupled Differential Algebraic Equations (DAEs), which are numerically solved for axial profiles (Temperature, Flow, Pressure) with plug flow reactor assumption. Further, a double-porosity modeling of the reactor has been carried out for the detailed transport study using COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS® simulation software. Here transport equations with the rate law are solved for two different porosities (domains); micro pores inside the catalyst particle (ε) and macro pores (void fraction-φ) in the packing. Models are validated with experimental studies and the molar conversion of SO3 obtained using the models are compared with conversion of an isothermal PBR. Chromium doped iron oxide (Cr–Fe2O3) catalyst; a ‘pellet’ type catalyst is used in this experimental study. Experiments are carried out at different flow (liquid) rates (160–315 ml h−1), wall temperature (973–1243 K) and with two different catalyst bed lengths (catalyst loading of 555 g and 288 g). Double-porosity (COMSOL) model predictions are better close to the experimental data. A multi-scale analysis of the system has been carried out using the double-porosity model, in order to get an insight of concentration drops in the particle (pore diffusion resistance) and fluid film (film resistance) at various locations inside the reactor. Film resistance is found to be negligible when compared with the pore diffusion resistance, in the studied experimental conditions. Modeling of transport (heat and mass transfer) resistances together with kinetics of SO3-decomposition, in two different porous-domains in a PBR, is the novelty of present work. The developed models are useful for maximizing the conversion of SO3 (by tuning the model parameters) in a PBR by minimizing the heat and mass transfer resistances.

The crystallization dependent electron-proton synergistic doping for hydrogenation of WO3 film

Hydrogenation of metallic oxides was effective to modulate the chemical/physical properties and realize various functional applications. Normally, the traditional hydrogenating route always required high temperature annealing in hydrogen gas assisted by noble metal catalyst (Au or Pd et al.) or treatment by hydrogen plasma in vacuum condition. In the current study, we achieved a facile hydrogenation route for WO3 films at ambient conditions by contacting a Zn particle in a diluted acid solution and proposed a so-called electron-proton synergistic doping (EPSD) process. Due to the electrochromic property of WO3 film, the hydrogenation induced color change from transparent to deep-blue could be directly observed by eyesight. In addition, the higher H-doping concentrating in WO3 film would induce much deeper blue color. Results showed that the crystallinity and microstructures of WO3 film dominated the EPSD process, which not only effected the Fermi level difference between the Zn particle and WO3 film, but also changed the migrating barrier of proton at the interface. This macroscopic hydrogenation of WO3 films at ambience conditions showed some potential applications for tunable electrochromic devices.

Bilayer Lubricant‐Infused Particulate Films as Slippery Protective Coatings with Durable Anticorrosion and Antifouling Performance

AbstractIn this study, durable slippery colloidal coatings are created through the infiltration of particulate films with bilayer lubricant; the coatings exhibit remarkable surface‐protective performance, including anticorrosion, antifouling, self‐healing, anti‐icing, and self‐cleaning properties. Materials with low surface energy, namely polytetrafluoroethylene or polydimethylsiloxane, are used to form micelle dispersions, with particulate films then obtained through spray coating. In particular, the thermally driven viscous surfactants can serve as a bottom adhesive primer after thermal treatment, which significantly improve durability. After lubricant infusion as a top protective layer, bilayer lubricant‐infused slippery coatings are obtained without a complex hole‐making process being required. The anticorrosion and antifouling performance of colloid coatings infused with various functional lubricants—ionic liquid, silicone oil, and perfluoropolyether oils—is investigated. This study is the first to create bilayer lubricant‐infused colloid‐based surface systems (i.e., primer and protective lubricants) as protective coatings. The coatings can be employed in various applications, such as fuel transport, self‐cleaning windows, anticorrosion protection, nontoxic coatings for medical devices, and optical instruments.

Effect of zirconium-ion irradiation on properties of secondary phase particles in zirconium-oxide film

To estimate the effect of displacement damage by neutron irradiation of an oxide film of zirconium alloy , a Zircaloy-2 sample was corroded in high temperature and high pressure water at 561 K for 1000 h to form an oxide film. It was then irradiated with 3-MeV Zr 2+ ions up to 1.3 × 10 20 ions/m 2 at 573 K. Subsequently, the crystalline properties of the oxide film and nature of secondary phase particles (SPPs) in the oxide film were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). From the results off the XRD measurement, monoclinic-ZrO 2 was found to be predominant at operation temperature of a light-water reactor, and slightly tetragonal ZrO 2 was also confirmed. The diffraction peaks of the monoclinic ZrO 2 were slightly clearer in the case of the irradiated sample than in the case of the unirradiated sample. Specifically, ratio of tetragonal ZrO 2 (011) diffraction to monoclinic ZrO 2 (-111) diffraction was increased by irradaiation. In addition, half width of monoclinic ZrO 2 (-111) diffraction was decreased with irradiation dose. This result suggests that the crystallinity of the oxide film was macroscopically improved by the ion irradiation . The diffracted wave corresponding to the (011) plane of the tetragonal ZrO 2 was also revealed after irradiation. It may suggest that tetragonal ZrO 2 is stabilized by accumulation of irradiation defects. However, the crystal structure difference between irradiated and unirradiated is small. Detailed TEM observation of the oxide film confirmed transition from crystalline to amorphous phase in the SPPs near the metal-oxide interface. Furthermore, the diffraction pattern taken from the SPPs near the surface of the oxide film could not be distinguished from that of ZrO 2 . That is, it was concluded that those near the surface of the oxide film were assimilated into ZrO 2 . Their iron concentration was less than that near the metal/oxide interface. Following the TEM observation, SEM observation was performed in the vicinity of the area where the TEM image was obtained. According to the SEM observation, the number of SPPs in the ion-irradiated oxide film tended to be lower than that in the unirradiated oxide film. This tendency was more significant near the surface than near the metal-oxide interface. It is therefore concluded that ZrO 2 in the oxide film is not easily irradiated; however, the SPPs are affected by the irradiation, and dissolution of the alloying elements from the SPPs to the matrix of the oxide film is promoted by substitution irradiation damage.