Self-assembled periodic nanoporous network in multifunctional ZrO_2-CeO_2-(La_(0.8)Sr_(0.2))MnO_3 composites

摘要

This letter reports the structural characteristics of the self-assembled surface nanostructure in the 0.75 wt % (Zr_(0.88)Ce_(0.12))O_2-0.25 wt% (La_(0.8)Sr_(0.2))MnO_3 ceramics. The surface consists of periodic porous network with islandlike structures occurring at the triple boundary junctions. The pores were found to have the diameter in the range of 150—200 nm with the thickness of the porous surface layer of the order of 100 nm. The pore distribution was quasiperiodic with the spacing in the range of 50—150 nm. The formation of the nanoporous network is correlated to the structural transformation occurring in ZrO_2 system.