Atomic structure of a CeO2 grain boundary: the role of oxygen vacancies

Nano Lett. 2010 Nov 10;10(11):4668-72. doi: 10.1021/nl1029336. Epub 2010 Oct 26.

Abstract

Determining both cation and oxygen sublattices of grain boundaries is essential to understand the properties of oxides. Here, with scanning transmission electron microscopy, electron energy-loss spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations, both the Ce and oxygen sublattices of a (210)Σ5 CeO(2) grain boundary were determined. Oxygen vacancies are shown to play a crucial role in the stable grain boundary structure. This finding paves the way for a comprehensive understanding of grain boundaries through the atomic scale determination of atom and defect locations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cerium / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Materials Testing
  • Models, Chemical*
  • Models, Molecular*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Oxygen / chemistry*
  • Phase Transition

Substances

  • Cerium
  • ceric oxide
  • Oxygen