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Three-dimensional Investigation of Ceramic/Metal Heterophase Interfaces by Atom-probe Microscopy
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2225 N. Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208-3108
Silver atoms segregate at the MgO/Cu interface, as revealed by 3D atom probe analysis. This study quantifies silver segregation using Gibbsian interfacial excess and a novel proxigram approach.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Heterophase interfaces between ceramics and metals are crucial in advanced materials.
- Understanding solute segregation at these interfaces impacts material properties and performance.
- Copper-silver alloys offer unique properties but require interface characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate silver (Ag) segregation at the magnesium oxide/copper (MgO/Cu) interface.
- To quantify the Gibbsian interfacial excess of silver at the MgO/Cu interface.
- To analyze silver segregation using a novel proximity histogram (proxigram) method.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional atom probe (3DAP) analysis for subnanometer-scale characterization.
- Quantitative determination of Gibbsian interfacial excess.
- Application of a proximity histogram/proxigram analysis.
Main Results:
- Confirmed segregation of silver from the copper matrix to the MgO/Cu interface.
- Quantified the Gibbsian interfacial excess of silver in the range of 2.33 x 10^18 to 5.81 x 10^18 m^-2.
- Demonstrated the utility of the proxigram approach for analyzing segregation.
Conclusions:
- Silver segregation at MgO/Cu interfaces is a significant phenomenon.
- 3DAP and proxigram analysis provide valuable insights into interfacial segregation.
- The findings contribute to the understanding of ceramic-metal interfaces in alloys.
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