Vertical-Aligned Nanocomposites Oxide Thin Films with Enhanced Ionic Conductivity

Oxide thin films with high ionic conductivity are crucial for the satisfactory operation of sustainable energy production systems (e.g. fuel cells) that provide efficient and environmental-friendly electricity for human beings. Key materials science efforts associated with developing oxides with high ionic conductivity will be reviewed. Of particular importance for developing thin film oxide materials is high performance and good stability in the operation temperature range. A vertical-aligned nanocomposites (VAN) approach will be reviewed in this talk. It creates vertical interface of two oxide materials and provides a new design paradigm to tune/manipulate functionalities that cannot be obtained in individual constituents.

Within recent extraordinary results in VAN field, two major examples corresponding to ionic conducting oxide thin film will be presented: (1) to design vertical-aligned electrolyte/electrolyte nanocomposites with superior vertical ionic conductivity, and (2) to use vertical-aligned electrode/electrolyte nanocomposites as an interlayer to increase the catalytic reaction probability. Opportunities of tuning/controlling functionality of such VAN systems will be introduced.