AVS 54th International Symposium | |
Surface Science | Tuesday Sessions |
Session SS-TuP |
Session: | Surface Science Poster Session |
Presenter: | M. Batzill, University of South Florida |
Authors: | A.J. Carter, University of South Florida J. Lahiri, University of South Florida M. Batzill, University of South Florida |
Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Most STM studies are performed on samples with good electron conductivity. Here we demonstrate STM measurements on the ion conductor yttrium stabilized zirconia (YSZ) at elevated temperatures. YSZ is the prototypical solid electrolyte that finds applications as an ion conductor for solid fuel cells and in gas sensing applications. In spite of these important technological applications the fundamental surface properties of ZrO2 are not well investigated. The wide band gap (>5eV) of zirconia and its poor electron conductivity hamper surface studies. Here we show that at elevated temperatures of about 600 K the ion conductivity is high enough to enable scanning tunneling microscopy investigations of this material and thus open the door for the investigation of the surface and defect structure at the atomic scale.