Ni-YSZ(111) solid-solid interfacial energy

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: Ni[11̄0](111) ∥YSZ[1̄10](111)and Ni[1̄10] (111)∥YSZ[11̄0](111), 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.