Three-dimensional coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of a ceramic nanofoam: determination of structural deformation mechanisms

Barty, A.; Marchesini, S.; Chapman, H. N.; Cui, C.; Howells, M. R.; Shapiro, D. A.; Minor, A. M.; Spence, J. C. H.; Weierstall, U.; Ilavsky, J.; Noy, A.; Hau-Riege, S. P.; Artyukhin, A. B.; Baumann, T.; Willey, T.; Stolken, J.; van Buuren, T.; Kinney, J. H.

Three-dimensional coherent X-ray diffraction imaging of a ceramic nanofoam: determination of structural deformation mechanisms

Authors

Description

Ultra-low density polymers, metals, and ceramic nanofoams are valued for their high strength-to-weight ratio, high surface area and insulating properties ascribed to their structural geometry. We obtain the labrynthine internal structure of a tantalum oxide nanofoam by X-ray diffractive imaging. Finite element analysis from the structure reveals mechanical properties consistent with bulk samples and with a diffusion limited cluster aggregation model, while excess mass on the nodes discounts the dangling fragments hypothesis of percolation theory.
8 pages, 5 figures, 30 references