Experimental Study of the Relative Energy of Symmetrical <110> Tilt Boundaries in a Semi-Conducting F.C.C. Oxide (NiO).

Abstract

ABSTRACTLarge size bicrystalline samples of NiO corresponding to tilt configurations around a < 110 > axis have been grown by the flame fusion technique, the misorientation angles varying from 0 to 180°. The variation of the relative energy of the grain boundary with misorientation has been studied and has indicated a very different behaviour from that previously observed by the authors on <100> tilt boundaries. High relative energy values and deep cusps on the energy curve at high coincidence angles are observed. The results are discussed in terms of interface energy.