Electron-Microscopic Study of Oxidation Processes by Metal Fine Particles

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Abstract
Fine aluminum, copper and iron particles are partly oxidized at temperatures between 200°C and 600°C in air, and studied by electron microscopy. Since the particles are of the order of 1000 Å in size and transparent to 100 kV electrons, their cross sectional structures are observed clearly. An individual oxidized particle generally consists of two parts, metallic part in center and surface oxide layer, and shows the characteristic structures. In the case of iron particles, more than one circular vacant layers are produced concentrically beneath the surface oxide layer. Oxides on aluminum particles grow epitaxially and sometimes form spherical shell containing no inside metal aluminum. Oxides on copper particles grow as thin films nearly perpendicular to the particle surface. Mechanism of oxidation process and migration of metallic atoms based on the present observations are discussed.

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