Reversible phase transformations in a shape memory alloy In–Tl nanowires observed by in situ transmission electron microscopy

Shape memory alloy In–21 at.% Tl nanowires were prepared by a mechanical injection method. Transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that the nanowires are composed of polycrystals. At room temperature, the nanowires were characterized as martensite with dense twins, and the twining plane was identified as {101} of the face-centered tetragonal structure. The nanowire growth direction was found to be primarily along < 110>. By in situ heating, reversible phase transformations between the martensite and the parent phase were observed.

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► First characterization of new In-Tl shape memory alloy nanowires by TEM.
► The nanowires are found to be polycrystals with dense twins.
► The twining plane was identified as {101} of the face-centered tetragonal structure.
► The nanowire growth direction was found to be primarily along < 110 >.
► Upon in situ heating, reversible phase transformations were observed.