NiO nanoparticle coating on YSZ particles was prepared by precipitation using Ni(NO3)2·6H2O solution. The coated powder was calcined in air at temperatures between 300 oC and 800 oC. XPS and X-ray line profile analysis were employed to ascertain NiO coating. The growth of NiO crystallites on YSZ particles was significantly retarded during heat treatment. The Williamson-Hall analysis suggested that the retardation of NiO growth was associated with the strain developed by underlying YSZ particles. The results of XPS showed that NiO coating was initially continuous but became discontinuous as the calcination temperature increased.

Keywords: NiO coating, YSZ, Crystallite growth, Williamson-Hall method, XPS