Thin film oxide-ion conducting electrolyte for near room temperature applications

Stabilized bismuth vanadate thin films are presented here as superior oxide ionic conductors, for application in solid state electrochemical devices operating near room temperature. Widely studied in the 90s in bulk form due to their unbeatable ionic conduction, this family of materials was finally discarded due to poor stability above 500 °C. Here, we however unveil the possibility of using Bi₄V_1.8Cu_0.2O_10.7 at reduced temperatures in thin film-based devices, where the material keeps its unmatched conduction properties and at the same time shows good stability over a wide oxygen partial pressure range.