Grain-boundary energy in NiO: Applicability of the thermal grooving method

Abstract
Special low-energy tilt grain boundaries have been revealed in NiO by using the thermal grooving method. These results are not in full agreement with the conclusions of a recent simulation by Duffy and Tasker. This controversy requires an examination of the experimental method and a discussion of its limits and applicability. This has led us to confirm the existence of the previously detected special grain boundaries.