Synthesis and microstructure of anodic spark deposited SrZrO3

The advanced plasma electrochemical process of anodic spark deposition was used to prepare polycrystalline strontium zirconate layers on metal surface s by an anodic conversion of the zirconium metal substrate and the metal io ns in an aqueous electrolyte, On the metal substrate a thin passivating barrier film of zirconia first fo rms, which subsequently changes to the perovskite structure of SrZrO3 durin g the anodic spark process. The typical surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron micro scope. X-ray diffraction studies showed that the layers are composed of pol ycrystalline strontium zirconate and microcrystalline phases of zirconium o xides, The chemical state of zirconium was investigated by X-ray photoelect ron spectroscopy.