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Topotactically transformable antiphase boundaries with enhanced ionic conductivity

Author

Listed:
  • Kun Xu

    (Tsinghua University
    Stanford University)

  • Shih-Wei Hung

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong Matter Science Research Institute (Futian, Shenzhen))

  • Wenlong Si

    (Tsinghua University
    Foshang)

  • Yongshun Wu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Chuanrui Huo

    (University of Science and Technology Beijing)

  • Pu Yu

    (Tsinghua University)

  • Xiaoyan Zhong

    (City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong Matter Science Research Institute (Futian, Shenzhen)
    City University of Hong Kong
    City University of Hong Kong)

  • Jing Zhu

    (Tsinghua University
    Foshang)

Abstract

Engineering lattice defects have emerged as a promising approach to effectively modulate the functionality of devices. Particularly, antiphase boundaries (APBs) as planar defects have been considered major obstacles to optimizing the ionic conductivity of mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) in solid oxide fuel applications. Here our study identifies topotactically transformable APBs (tt-APBs) at the atomic level and demonstrates that they exhibit higher ionic conductivity at elevated temperatures as compared to perfect domains. In-situ observation at the atomic scale tracks dynamic oxygen migration across these tt-APBs, where the abundant interstitial sites between tetrahedrons facilitate the ionic migration. Furthermore, annealing in an oxidized atmosphere can lead to the formation of interstitial oxygen at these APBs. These pieces of evidence clearly clarify that the tt-APBs can contribute to oxygen conductivity as anion diffusion channels, while the topotactically non-transformable APBs cannot. The topotactic transformability opens the way of defect engineering strategies for improving ionic transportation in MIECs.

Suggested Citation

  • Kun Xu & Shih-Wei Hung & Wenlong Si & Yongshun Wu & Chuanrui Huo & Pu Yu & Xiaoyan Zhong & Jing Zhu, 2023. "Topotactically transformable antiphase boundaries with enhanced ionic conductivity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-43086-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43086-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. I.-Wei Chen & X.-H. Wang, 2000. "Sintering dense nanocrystalline ceramics without final-stage grain growth," Nature, Nature, vol. 404(6774), pages 168-171, March.
    2. S. Farokhipoor & C. Magén & S. Venkatesan & J. Íñiguez & C. J. M. Daumont & D. Rubi & E. Snoeck & M. Mostovoy & C. de Graaf & A. Müller & M. Döblinger & C. Scheu & B. Noheda, 2014. "Artificial chemical and magnetic structure at the domain walls of an epitaxial oxide," Nature, Nature, vol. 515(7527), pages 379-383, November.
    3. Keith P. McKenna & Florian Hofer & Daniel Gilks & Vlado K. Lazarov & Chunlin Chen & Zhongchang Wang & Yuichi Ikuhara, 2014. "Atomic-scale structure and properties of highly stable antiphase boundary defects in Fe3O4," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 5(1), pages 1-8, December.
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