Molecular beam synthesis and high temperature electrical properties of crystalline ceria thin films

Abstract

We report on molecular beam synthesis and high temperature electrical characterization of crystalline ceria thin films. It is found that Ce O2 forms a mismatched interface with Al2 O3 (0001) with the orientation relation of (111) Ce O2 ∥ (0001) Al2 O3 and [110] Ce O2 ∥ [1 2- 10] Al2 O3. The electrical conductivity was found to be 0.08 Scm in air and independent of P O2 down to 10-16 atm at 1058 K. It is likely that the highly oriented nature of the film leads to altered electrical conductivity phenomena at lower oxygen partial pressures. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.