The effects of annealing on phase transformation in platinum-molybdenum coatings

The thermodynamic study of platinum binary systems has both fundamental and applied aspects. It is due to the fact that the formation of ordered phases increases the strength and surface hardness and could also have an impact on surface activity and chemical properties. The changes in mechanical, physical and chemical properties could be of significant importance in enhancing the performance of platinum-based systems in their respective applications, such as gas sensors, catalyst, fuel cells and superconductors. In this investigation, the phase transformation in Pt-Mo coated systems induced by thermal annealing was studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray emission and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. The phase analysis showed the presence of several intermetalic phases, Pt2Mo, PtMo and Pt2Mo3 which were observed to nucleate in sequence when the annealing time and temperature were extended. RBS analysis showed an increase in coating thickness after annealing which has been attributed to the formation of the Pt-Mo phases.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Physics

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Khumalo, Zakhelumuzi Mesuli

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Blumenthal, M
• Comrie, Craig

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10916

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/10916