Irradiation-induced nanostructures in cadmium niobate pyrochlores

This paper reports the formation processes of crystalline Cd nanostructures on ion-cut surfaces of cadmium niobate pyrochlores (Cd₂Nb₂O₇). Irradiation with 3 MeV He⁺ ions has been performed at low temperatures (295 K) to induce material decomposition and aggregation of host atoms. The irradiation also leads to surface exfoliation due to rupture of gas (He and O₂) filled blisters. Nanoparticles and nanowires are observed on the ion-cut surfaces at low and higher doses, respectively. These structures are examined and characterized using a suite of experimental tools. Both the particles and wires are found to be single crystals that primarily consist of metallic Cd.