Sub-nA spatially resolved conductivity profiling of surface and interface defects in ceria films

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 Ce...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tim Farrow, Nan Yang, Sandra Doria, Alex Belianinov, Stephen Jesse, Thomas M. Arruda, Giuseppe Balestrino, Sergei V. Kalinin, Amit Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AIP Publishing LLC 2015-03-01
Series:APL Materials
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4914943
Description
Summary: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.
ISSN:2166-532X