Abstract
Cu0.62Zn0.38 brass foils were thermally oxidized at 500 °C under various gaseous environments, including nitrogen, air and mixture of N2O2 at a pressure of 1 atm for 3 h. The oxidized specimens were characterized with a scanning electron microscope, an X-ray diffractometer and a transmission electron microscope. Optical property of oxidized products was characterized by photoluminescence. It is found that the nanowires and/or nanowalls are formed from hexagon ZnO crystals under N 2O2 gases and air. However, nanowires and nanowalls cannot form on the specimens oxidized in N2. When oxygen partial pressure of environment is over a critical value, increasing oxygen partial pressure is of disbenefit to the growth of nanowires and nanowalls and reduces the thickness of oxide scale on a specimen. The experimental results are explained by the defect equilibrium theory of oxide scale and the compressive growth stresses occurred during oxidation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 408-415 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Superlattices and Microstructures |
Volume | 49 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Apr 1 2011 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Brass
- Nanostructures
- Oxides
- Oxygen partial pressure
- Photoluminescence
- Thermal oxidation
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering