Fabrication and characterization of TiN–Ag nano-dice

TiN–Ag nanocomposite was synthesized by dc arc-plasma method. Microstructures of TiN–Ag nanocomposite were carefully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction method and transmission electron microscopy, and nano-morphologies by three-dimensional electron tomography. It was found that the surface of nanocrystalline TiN matrix was densely covered by finely dispersed Ag nanoparticles, and it was found that they were physically attached but not chemically bonded from their orientation relationships.