Fig. 2: Microstructure characterization of eutectic Zn/Al alloys.

a XRD patterns of monometallic Zn, hypoeutectic Zn₅₀Al₅₀ and eutectic Zn₈₈Al₁₂ alloys. The line patterns show reference cards 04-0831 for hcp Zn (blue) and 04-0787 for fcc Al (dark yellow) according to JCPDS. b Thickness of Zn and Al layers in lamella-nanostructured eutectic Zn₈₈Al₁₂ alloys that are produced at various cooling rates. c–e Optical micrographs of lamella-nanostructured eutectic Zn₈₈Al₁₂ alloys with lamella spacing of ∼450 nm (c), ∼1050 nm (d) and ∼1850 nm (e). Scale bar, 10 μm (c–e), Typical SEM image lamella-nanostructured eutectic Zn₈₈Al₁₂ alloys with lamella spacing of ∼450 nm and the corresponding EDS element mapping of Zn and Al. Scale bar, 2 μm. g, HRTEM image of Zn/Al interface of eutectic Zn₈₈Al₁₂ alloys (λ = ∼450 nm). Scale bar, 1 nm. h, i, FFT patterns of selected areas of HRTEM image (g) that correspond to fcc Al (h) and hcp Zn (i), respectively.