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Title: On the thermal stability and grain boundary segregation in nanocrystalline PtAu alloys

Abstract

Grain boundary (GB) solute segregation has been proposed as a new mechanism to stabilize nanocrystalline (NC) metals. In this study, we investigate the thermal stability and GB solute segregation in a noble metal alloy system (Pt–Au). Thermal stability of the Pt.90Au.10 alloy system was evaluated by annealing a thin film (~20 nm in thickness) at 500°C and 700°C as well as a thick film (~2 µm in thickness) at a temperature range from 200°C to 700°C. The remarkable stability of the Pt.90Au.10 alloy system was demonstrated by comparing its thermal stability to that of pure Pt films processed under identical conditions. Although presence of voids in the GBs may contribute to thermal stability, the enhanced thermal stability of the Pt.90Au.10 alloy is mainly attributed to preferential Au segregation to GBs in the alloy film, which is revealed by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Our results show that Au segregation to GBs is heterogeneous, with variation in solute content between different GBs as well as non-uniformity along individual GBs. The heterogeneity is dependent on the annealing temperature and is less pronounced at a higher processing temperatures (e.g., 700°C). Furthermore, by using the noble Pt–Au system, which avoids oxidation and impurities, thismore » study validates the mechanism of GB solute segregation and provides further understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics underlying NC stabilization.« less

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); Clemson Univ., Clemson, SC (United State)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); USDOE Office of Electricity (OE), Advanced Grid Research & Development. Power Systems Engineering Research
OSTI Identifier:
1529299
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1637250
Report Number(s):
SAND-2018-11786J
Journal ID: ISSN 2589-1529; 669300
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Materialia
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 6; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 2589-1529
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; Pt–Au thin film; Grain boundary solute segregation; Nanocrystalline thermal stability; Heterogeneous segregation; STEM–EDS mapping

Citation Formats

Lu, Ping, Abdeljawad, F., Rodriguez, M., Chandross, M., Adams, D. P., Boyce, B. L., Clark, B. G., and Argibay, N. On the thermal stability and grain boundary segregation in nanocrystalline PtAu alloys. United States: N. p., 2019. Web. doi:10.1016/j.mtla.2019.100298.
Lu, Ping, Abdeljawad, F., Rodriguez, M., Chandross, M., Adams, D. P., Boyce, B. L., Clark, B. G., & Argibay, N. On the thermal stability and grain boundary segregation in nanocrystalline PtAu alloys. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2019.100298
Lu, Ping, Abdeljawad, F., Rodriguez, M., Chandross, M., Adams, D. P., Boyce, B. L., Clark, B. G., and Argibay, N. Sun . "On the thermal stability and grain boundary segregation in nanocrystalline PtAu alloys". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtla.2019.100298. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1529299.
@article{osti_1529299,
title = {On the thermal stability and grain boundary segregation in nanocrystalline PtAu alloys},
author = {Lu, Ping and Abdeljawad, F. and Rodriguez, M. and Chandross, M. and Adams, D. P. and Boyce, B. L. and Clark, B. G. and Argibay, N.},
abstractNote = {Grain boundary (GB) solute segregation has been proposed as a new mechanism to stabilize nanocrystalline (NC) metals. In this study, we investigate the thermal stability and GB solute segregation in a noble metal alloy system (Pt–Au). Thermal stability of the Pt.90Au.10 alloy system was evaluated by annealing a thin film (~20 nm in thickness) at 500°C and 700°C as well as a thick film (~2 µm in thickness) at a temperature range from 200°C to 700°C. The remarkable stability of the Pt.90Au.10 alloy system was demonstrated by comparing its thermal stability to that of pure Pt films processed under identical conditions. Although presence of voids in the GBs may contribute to thermal stability, the enhanced thermal stability of the Pt.90Au.10 alloy is mainly attributed to preferential Au segregation to GBs in the alloy film, which is revealed by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Our results show that Au segregation to GBs is heterogeneous, with variation in solute content between different GBs as well as non-uniformity along individual GBs. The heterogeneity is dependent on the annealing temperature and is less pronounced at a higher processing temperatures (e.g., 700°C). Furthermore, by using the noble Pt–Au system, which avoids oxidation and impurities, this study validates the mechanism of GB solute segregation and provides further understanding of the thermodynamics and kinetics underlying NC stabilization.},
doi = {10.1016/j.mtla.2019.100298},
journal = {Materialia},
number = C,
volume = 6,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2019},
month = {Sun Mar 24 00:00:00 EDT 2019}
}

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