Discerning interface atomistic structure by phase contrast in STEM: The equilibrated Ni-YSZ interface

Equilibrated interfaces between Ni and yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) were formed by solid-state dewetting of thin Ni films on the (111) surface of YSZ single crystals at 1350 °C and an oxygen partial pressure of P(O2) = 10−20 atm. The atomistic structure of the equilibrated solid-solid Ni [ 1 ¯ 10 ] 111 ∥ YSZ [ 1 1 ¯ 0 ] 111 interface was determined by monochromated and aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, using …