Microscopic characterization of corrosion morphology: A study in specular and diffuse neutron reflectivity

Detailed morphologies of the exposed surface of a Ni film vis-à-vis a buried interface below it have been determined by diffuse (off-specular) neutron scattering (DNS) and specular neutron reflectometry (NR). The exposed surface shows distinct morphological changes with respect to the buried interface, due to corrosion. The results demonstrate the strength of DNS in obtaining morphology of hidden interfaces and exposed surfaces simultaneously.