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Observation of epitaxially ordered twinned zinc aluminate “nanoblades” on c-sapphire

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Abstract

We report the observation of a novel nanostructured growth mode of the ceramic spinel zinc aluminate grown on c-sapphire in the form of epitaxially ordered twinned crystallites with pronounced vertically aligned “nanoblades” on top of these crystallites. The nanostructures are formed on bare c-sapphire substrates using a vapour phase transport method. Electron microscopy images reveal the nanostructure morphology and dimensions and allow direct and indirect observation of the twin boundary location in a number of samples. The nanoblade structure with sharply rising sidewalls gives rise to a distinctive bright contrast in secondary electron images in scanning electron microscopy measurements.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge financial support from SFI (PI grant # 02/IN1/I95 and equipment funding under Grant No. 03/IN3/1361/EC07), the Irish HEA under the NDP and internal funding from the NCPST, DCU.

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Author notes

  1. K. K. Nanda

    Present address: Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012, India

  2. R. T. Rajendra Kumar

    Present address: Department of Physics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, 641 046, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physical Sciences/National Centre for Plasma Science and Technology, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    E. McGlynn, K. K. Nanda, J. Grabowska, R. T. Rajendra Kumar, J.-P. Mosnier & M. O. Henry

  2. School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland

    B. Twamley

  3. Glebe Scientific Ltd., Newport, Co., Tipperary, Ireland

    S. B. Newcomb

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  1. E. McGlynn
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  2. B. Twamley
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  3. K. K. Nanda
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  4. J. Grabowska
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  6. S. B. Newcomb
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  7. J.-P. Mosnier
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  8. M. O. Henry
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to E. McGlynn.

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McGlynn, E., Twamley, B., Nanda, K.K. et al. Observation of epitaxially ordered twinned zinc aluminate “nanoblades” on c-sapphire. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 23, 758–765 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-011-0486-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-011-0486-7

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