Ion transport and surface kinetics in oxygen ion conducting nanocrystalline oxide thin films

Abstract

Nanocrystalline materials often exhibit extraordinary electrical and electrochemical properties related to high density of grain boundaries. In this regard, we have investigated grain boundary structure and grain boundary's role for ionic transport and surface kinetics using atomic simulations, electrochemical analysis and spectroscopic/spectrometric experiments. Thereby, it was found that the segregation of dopants and vacancies near grain boundaries facilitates oxygen exchange while impeding cross-boundary ionic transport.