Defect Chemistry and Protonic Conductivity of Polymer-Templated Mesostructured Thin Film Oxide Ceramics and Nanocomposites

本项目旨在通过电化学测量与表面和颗粒结构的表征和模拟相结合的方法，研究表面效应对介观结构Ce基和锆基薄膜氧化物陶瓷的输运性质和表面缺陷化学的影响。使用不同的溶胶-凝胶前驱体和聚合物结构导向剂，通过溶液相工艺可以制备出厚度为100 nm的高比表面积薄膜。此外，原子层沉积将被用来通过在聚合物模板材料的孔壁上涂层来创建具有定制结构和微结构特性的纳米复合材料。总体而言，该项目致力于深入了解空间电荷层以及表面和应变对介观结构纳米金属氧化物薄膜的电子、离子和质子导电性的影响，并探索这种材料在未来可能具有的潜力。

This project aims at investigating the influence of surface effects on both the transport properties and surface defect chemistry of mesostructured Ce- and Zr-based thin film oxide ceramics by combining electrochemical measurements with surface and grain structure characterizations and modeling. High surface area films of thickness > 100 nm will be produced through solution phase processing by use of different sol-gel precursors and polymer structure-directing agents. Furthermore, atomic layer deposition will be used to create nanocomposites with tailored structural and microstructural properties by coating the pore walls of the polymertemplated materials. Overall, this project is dedicated to gaining a deep understanding of the space charge layer as well as surface and strain effects on the electronic, ionic and protonic conductivity in mesostructured nanocrystalline metal oxide thin films and to exploring the potential that such materials might have for the future.