Direct Observations of Field-Intensity-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown Mechanisms in TiO2 Single Nanocrystals

Tian, Xinchun; Brennecka, Geoff Lee; Tan, Xiaoli

doi:10.1021/acsnano.0c02346

Direct Observations of Field-Intensity-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown Mechanisms in TiO₂ Single Nanocrystals

Journal Article · Fri Jun 12 00:00:00 EDT 2020 · ACS Nano

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.0c02346· OSTI ID:1663221

^[1]; Brennecka, Geoff Lee ^[2]; Tan, Xiaoli ^[3]

Iowa State University, Ames, IA (United States); Iowa State University
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)
Iowa State University, Ames, IA (United States)

One of the main challenges for next-generation electric power systems and electronics is to avoid premature dielectric breakdown in insulators and capacitors and to ensure reliable operations at higher electric fields and higher efficiencies. However, dielectric breakdown is a complex phenomenon and often involves many different processes simultaneously. Here we show distinctly different defect-related and intrinsic breakdown processes by studying individual, single crystalline TiO₂ nanoparticles using in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM). As the applied electric field intensity rises, rutile-to-anatase phase transition, local amorphization/melting, or ablation are identified as the corresponding breakdown processes, the field intensity thresholds of which are found to be related to the position of the intensified field and the duration of the applied bias relative to the time of charged defects accumulation. Our observations reveal an intensity-dependent dielectric response of crystalline oxides at breakdown and suggest possible routes to suppress the iniation of premature dielectric breakdown. Hence, they will aid the design and development of next generation robust and efficient solid dielectrics.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Iowa State University, Ames, IA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0017839

OSTI ID:: 1663221

Journal Information:: ACS Nano, Journal Name: ACS Nano Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 14; ISSN 1936-0851

Publisher:: American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
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Direct Observations of Field-Intensity-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown Mechanisms in TiO2 Single Nanocrystals

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Direct Observations of Field-Intensity-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown Mechanisms in TiO₂ Single Nanocrystals