Enhanced oxide-ion conductivity of solid-state electrolyte mesocrystals

Abstract

Oxide ion-conducting porous films were produced on a substrate by evaporation-induced self-assembly of rare earth-doped CeO₂ (REDC) nanocubes 4–5 nm in size and subsequent mild calcination at 400 °C. Mesocrystalline structures comprising iso-oriented REDC nanocubes were formed by ordered assembly based on strict attachment of their {100} faces. Enhanced oxide-ion conductivities in a temperature range of 250–350 °C were observed on the mesocrystalline films consisting of Sm-doped CeO₂ (SDC) nanocubes. The specific electrical properties of the mesocrystalline films are ascribed to improved surface-ion conduction due to a large specific surface area and a high crystallographic connectivity of SDC nanocubes.