The growth and structure of thin oxide films on ceria-sol-coated nickel

The influence of 14-nm thick ceria ceramic coatings deposited by the sol-gel technique on the early-stage oxidation of polycrystalline nickel at 973 K was studied by analytical electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and X-ray diffraction. The size of the ceria particles in the coating was modified prior to oxidation by vacuum annealing. It was found that ceria particle size is a crucial factor affecting the oxidation kinetics, oxide microstructure, and distribution of cerium within the oxide film. Coarse ceria particles applied to the nickel surface were ineffective in the inhibition of oxidation and were spread throughout the whole oxide. Coatings with small ceria particles markedly improved the oxidation resistance. After oxidation such particles were present in the surface region of nickel oxide, acting as the sources of cerium ions segregated at the nickeloxide grain boundaries. The stereological analysis of oxide microstructure as well as microchemical examination supported the predominant role of grain-boundary segregation of cerium ions decreasing the oxidation rate. The results are discussed in terms of reactive-element effect on the development of microstructure of nickel oxide film during initial stages of oxidation.