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Cluster-assembled cubic zirconia films with tunable and stable nanoscale morphology against thermal annealing

2016; American Institute of Physics; Volume: 120; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1063/1.4960441

1520-8850

Francesca Borghi, Elisa Sogne, Cristina Lenardi, Alessandro Podestà, Marco Merlini, Caterina Ducati, P. Milani,

Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties

Nanostructured zirconium dioxide (zirconia) films are very promising for catalysis and biotechnological applications: a precise control of the interfacial properties of the material at different length scales and, in particular, at the nanoscale, is therefore necessary. Here, we present the characterization of cluster-assembled zirconia films produced by supersonic cluster beam deposition possessing cubic structure at room temperature and controlled nanoscale morphology. We characterized the effect of thermal annealing in reducing and oxidizing conditions on the crystalline structure, grain dimensions, and topography. We highlight the mechanisms of film growth and phase transitions, which determine the observed interfacial morphological properties and their resilience against thermal treatments.