Surface exchange kinetics are a key indicator of performance for electrochemical devices including solid oxide fuel cells. Due to broad flexibility in dopant selection and concentration, mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) ABO3 perovskite oxides have been extensively explored as model systems to understand oxygen surface exchange kinetics for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) electrodes. Traditionally, transport properties are examined as functions of type and concentration of aliovalent cations, requiring multiple samples, resulting in changes in multiple characteristics and properties, often unintended. Moreover, the perovskite oxides generally accommodate only oxygen vacancies and not interstitials. In this study, the type and concentration of ionic defects (oxygen vacancies vs interstitials) in MIEC layered cuprates (La1.85Ce0.15CuO4) are systematically controlled, without change in cation doping or electronic conductivity, by electrochemical pumping of oxygen with and are analyzed through chemical capacitance, defect chemical modelling, and electrical conductivity. Oxygen surface exchange kinetics derived from electrochemical impedance spectra show a strong correlation with oxygen defect concentration increase, for both vacancies and interstitials. Key thermodynamic parameters, such as band gap energy (0.54±0.10 eV) and anion Frenkel enthalpy (0.618±0.074 eV) are derived. Evidence of oxygen vacancy ordering is observed from chemical capacitance analysis. Layered cuprates have multiple crystalline structure types – namely T, T*, and T’ – which share similar chemistry, but are known to have different properties, such as oxygen diffusivities. Control of structure is systematically studied by using different substrates and seed layers, and by electrochemical pumping of oxygen. A dynamic and reversible structural change in layered cuprate thin films is discovered, for the first time, by oxygen nonstoichiometry control. Oxygen diffusivities of T and T’ structures with the same cation chemistry (La2CuO4) are measured, for the first time, by oxygen isotope exchange experiment. The T-structured layered cuprate shows faster oxygen diffusion, but with higher activation compared to the T’ variant. On the other hand, faster oxygen surface exchange kinetics exhibited by the T’- as compared to the T- type structured cuprate, as measured by thin film conductivity relaxation, is attributed to a lower enthalpy of oxygen interstitial formation.

This book presents the majority of the contributions to the Tenth German-Vietnamese Seminar on Physics and Engineering (GVS10) that took place in the Gustav- Stresemann-Institut (GSI) in Bonn from June 6 to June 9, 2007. In the focus of these studies are the preparation and basic properties of new material systems, related investigation methods, and practical applications. Accordingly the sections in this book are entitled electrons: transport and confinement, low-dimensional systems, magnetism, oxidic materials, organic films, new materials, and methods. The series of German-Vietnamese seminars was initiated and sponsored by the Gottlieb Daimler- and Karl Benz -Foundation since 1998 and took place alt- nately in both countries. These bilateral meetings brought together top-notch senior and junior Vietnamese scientists with German Scientists and stimulated many contacts and co-operations. Under the general title “Physics and Engine- ing” the programs covered, in the form of keynote-lectures, oral presentations and posters, experimental and theoretical cutting-edge material-physics oriented topics. The majority of the contributions was dealing with modern topics of material science, particularly nanoscience, which is a research field of high importance also in Vietnam. Modern material science allows a quick transfer of research results to technical applications, which is very useful for fast developing countries like Vietnam. On the other hand, the seminars took profit from the strong cro- fertilization of the different disciplines of physics. This book is dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the seminars and nicely shows the scientific progress in Vietnam and the competitive level reached.

Atomic layer deposition, formerly called atomic layer epitaxy, was developed in the 1970s to meet the needs of producing high-quality, large-area fl at displays with perfect structure and process controllability. Nowadays, creating nanomaterials and producing nanostructures with structural perfection is an important goal for many applications in nanotechnology. As ALD is one of the important techniques which offers good control over the surface structures created, it is more and more in the focus of scientists. The book is structured in such a way to fi t both the need of the expert reader (due to the systematic presentation of the results at the forefront of the technique and their applications) and the ones of students and newcomers to the fi eld (through the first part detailing the basic aspects of the technique). This book is a must-have for all Materials Scientists, Surface Chemists, Physicists, and Scientists in the Semiconductor Industry.

Semiconductor Gas Sensors, Second Edition, summarizes recent research on basic principles, new materials and emerging technologies in this essential field. Chapters cover the foundation of the underlying principles and sensing mechanisms of gas sensors, include expanded content on gas sensing characteristics, such as response, sensitivity and cross-sensitivity, present an overview of the nanomaterials utilized for gas sensing, and review the latest applications for semiconductor gas sensors, including environmental monitoring, indoor monitoring, medical applications, CMOS integration and chemical warfare agents. This second edition has been completely updated, thus ensuring it reflects current literature and the latest materials systems and applications. - Includes an overview of key applications, with new chapters on indoor monitoring and medical applications - Reviews developments in gas sensors and sensing methods, including an expanded section on gas sensor theory - Discusses the use of nanomaterials in gas sensing, with new chapters on single-layer graphene sensors, graphene oxide sensors, printed sensors, and much more

Ceramic Membranes for Reaction and Separation is the first single-authored guide to the developing area of ceramic membranes. Starting by documenting established procedures of ceramic membrane preparation and characterization, this title then focuses on gas separation. The final chapter covers ceramic membrane reactors;- as distributors and separators, and general engineering considerations. Chapters include key examples to illustrate membrane synthesis, characterisation and applications in industry. Theoretical principles, advantages and disadvantages of using ceramic membranes under the various conditions are discussed where applicable.

This book presents a complete encyclopedia of superconducting fluctuations, summarising the last thirty-five years of work in the field. The first part of the book is devoted to an extended discussion of the Ginzburg-Landau phenomenology of fluctuations in its thermodynamical and time-dependent versions and its various applications. The second part deals with microscopic justification of the Ginzburg-Landau approach and presents the diagrammatic theory of fluctuations. The third part is devoted to a less-detailed review of the manifestation of fluctuations in observables: diamagnetism, magnetoconductivity, various tunneling characteristics, thermoelectricity, and NMR relaxation. The final chapters turn to the manifestation of fluctuations in unconventional superconducting systems: nanodrops, nanorings, Berezinsky-Kosterlitz-Thouless state, quantum phase transition between superconductor and insulator, and thermal and quantum fluctuations in weak superconducting systems. The book ends with a brief discussion on theories of high temperature superconductivity, where fluctuations appear as the possible protagonist of this exciting phenomenon.

With the development of potent x-ray sources at many synchrotron laboratories worldwide, Compton scattering has become a standard tool for studying electron densities in materials. This book provides condensed matter and materials physicists with an authoritative, up-to-date, and very accessible account of the Compton scattering method, leading to a fundamental understanding of the electrical and magnetic properties of solid materials. The spectrum of Compton scattered x-rays is particularly sensitive to this behaviour and thus can be used as a direct probe and to test the predictions of theory. The current generation of synchrotron facilities allows this method to be readily exploited to study the ground state electron density in both elements and in complex compounds. It is important that those working in related fields, as well as the increasing number directly using the Compton method, have a comprehensive assessment of what is now possible and how to achieve it, in addition to a full understanding of its theoretical basis. This monograph is unique and timely, since little of what is described, was practicable a decade ago. The development of synchrotron radiation facilities has ensured that the technique described here will remain a powerful probe of electron charge and spin density for many years to come.

This book is a comprehensive account of the present understanding of an important class of perovskite oxide materials with potential industrial applications. The chapters are written by well-known scientists who are on the forefront of the field and have directly contributed to its recent progress. Special care has been taken to maintain a balance between the space devoted to new experimental results and that devoted to recent theoretical developments. The book contains recent experimental and theoretical results on colossal magnetoresistive (CMR) manganites not covered by any other book in the field, and hence this will be very beneficial to graduate students and researchers in condensed matter and applied physics, materials science and solid state chemistry.

This book outlines various synthetic approaches, tuneable physical properties, and device applications of core/shell quantum dots (QDs). Core/shell QDs have exhibited enhanced quantum yield (QY), suppressed photobleaching/blinking, and significantly improved photochemical/physical stability as compared to conventional bare QDs. The core-shell structure also promotes the easy tuning of QDs’ band structure, leading to their employment as attractive building blocks in various optoelectronic devices. The main objective of this book is to create a platform for knowledge sharing and dissemination of the latest advances in novel areas of core/shell QDs and relevant devices, and to provide a comprehensive introduction and directions for further research in this growing area of nanomaterials research.

This book is primarily an introduction to the vast family of ceramic materials. The first part is devoted to the basics of ceramics and processes: raw materials, powders synthesis, shaping and sintering. It discusses traditional ceramics as well as “technical” ceramics – both oxide and non-oxide – which have multiple developments. The second part focuses on properties and applications, and discusses both structural and functional ceramics, including bioceramics. The fields of abrasion, cutting and tribology illustrate the importance of mechanical properties. It also deals with the questions/answers of a ceramicist regarding electronuclear technology. As chemistry is an essential discipline for ceramicists, the book shows, in particular, what soft chemistry can contribute as a result of sol-gel methods.