Nanodomain formation and distribution in Gd-doped ceria

Journal Article · Thu Mar 15 04:00:00 EDT 2012 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2011.12.010· OSTI ID:22212465

Li, Zhi-Peng ^[1]; Mori, Toshiyuki ^[1]; Auchterlonie, Graeme John ^[2]; Zou, Jin ^[2]; Drennan, John ^[2]

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1. Global Research Center for Environment and Energy based on Nanomaterials Science, National Institute for Materials Science, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0044 (Japan)
2. Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072 (Australia)

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Comprehensive investigation of nanodomain formation and distribution in Gd-doped ceria. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Direct experimental evidence of nanodomain formation at grain boundaries. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Nanodomain at grain boundaries would be another possible reason for grain boundary resistivity. -- Abstract: A comprehensive study, with a combination of diverse analytical techniques, was performed to investigate nanodomain formation and distribution in gadolinium-doped ceria. It is illustrated that the nanodomain formation, originating from the aggregation and segregation of dopant cations together with associated charge-compensating oxygen vacancies, is ubiquitous throughout doped ceria. The formation of nanodomains is not limited to bulk areas as previously reported but exists at grain boundaries as well. With enhanced ordering level, such nanodomains formed at grain boundaries will decrease the ionic conductivity as a result of hindered the mobility of oxygen vacancies in doped ceria. Particularly, the nanodomains formed at grain boundaries, with strong defect interactions due to enrichment of dopants and ordered oxygen vacancies, are suggested to be another possible reason for the grain-boundary resistance, other than the widely accepted space-charge layers.

• OSTI ID: 22212465
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Journal Name: Materials Research Bulletin Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 47; ISSN MRBUAC; ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
CERIUM OXIDES
DEFECTS
DEPLETION LAYER
DOPED MATERIALS
ELECTRON DIFFRACTION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
GRAIN BOUNDARIES
INTERACTIONS
NANOSTRUCTURES