The surface cross-sectional images of the coatings were investigated
by using a field emission scanning electron microscope
(FE-SEM) (FEI Quanta FEG 250) equipped with EDS (OXFORD
X-Max). Crystal phase of the as-deposited coatings was investigated
by X-ray diffraction (Bruker D8 X-ray facility) using Cu Kα
radiation (λ¼0.154 nm), which was operated at 40 kV and 40 mA
with grazing incidence angle of 21. The scanning angle ranged
from 201 to 901 at a scanning speed of 41/min with 0.021 step size.
The XPS spectra was measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
(AXIS Ultra DLD) using an Al(mono) Kα X-ray source which
was operated at 12 kV and 10 mA. Raman spectra of the transfer
layers were obtained by a Raman spectroscopic (HR800) measurement
using an Arþ laser of 532 nm with a resolution of 1 cm1.
The typical data acquisition time was in the range of 60 s and the
spectrum was recorded in the range of 1000–1800 cm1 in order
to allow reliable fitting.