Structural modification of nanocrystalline ceria by ion beams

Yanwen Zhang, Philip D. Edmondson, Tamas Varga, Sandra Moll, Fereydoon Namavar, Chune Lan, William J. Weber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Scopus citations

Abstract

Exceptional size-dependent electronic-ionic conductivity of nanostructured ceria can significantly alter materials properties in chemical, physical, electronic and optical applications. Using energetic ions, we have demonstrated effective modification of interface volume and grain size in nanocrystalline ceria from a few nm up to ∼25 nm, which is the critical region for controlling size-dependent material property. The grain size increases and follows an exponential law as a function of ion fluence that increases with temperature, while the cubic phase is stable under the irradiation. The unique self-healing response of radiation damage at grain boundaries is utilized to control the grain size at the nanoscale. Structural modification by energetic ions is proposed to achieve desirable electronic-ionic conductivity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11946-11950
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics
Volume13
Issue number25
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 7 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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