Open AccessSub-nA spatially resolved conductivity profiling of surface and interface defects in ceria films
Author(s) -
Tim Farrow,
Nan Yang,
Sandra Doria,
Alex Belianinov,
Stephen Jesse,
Thomas M. Arruda,
G. Balestrino,
Sergei V. Kalinin,
Amit Kumar
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
apl materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.571
H-Index - 60
ISSN - 2166-532X
DOI - 10.1063/1.4914943
Subject(s) - materials science , conductivity , scanning tunneling microscope , ferroelectricity , ionic conductivity , thin film , surface conductivity , electrode , conductor , characterization (materials science) , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemical physics , nanotechnology , optoelectronics , dielectric , composite material , chemistry , chromatography , electrolyte , physics
Spatial variability of conductivity in ceria is explored using scanning probe microscopy with galvanostatic control. Ionically blocking electrodes are used to probe the conductivity under opposite polarities to reveal possible differences in the defect structure across a thin film of CeO2. Data suggest the existence of a large spatial inhomogeneity that could give rise to constant phase elements during standard electrochemical characterization, potentially affecting the overall conductivity of films on the macroscale. The approach discussed here can also be utilized for other mixed ionic electronic conductor systems including memristors and electroresistors, as well as physical systems such as ferroelectric tunneling barriers
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