Nanoscale Investigation of Local Thermal Expansion at SrTiO<sub>3</sub> Grain Boundaries by Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy
Kunyen Liao, Kiyou Shibata, Teruyasu Mizoguchi
Abstract
at a temperature range between 373 and 973 K. A CTE that was about 3 times larger was observed in Σ5 GB along the direction normal to GB plane, while only a 1.4 time enhancement was found in the 45° GB. Our result provides direct evidence that GBs contribute to the enhancement of CTE in polycrystals. Also, this work has revealed how thermodynamic properties are varied in different GB structures and demonstrated the potential of EELS for probing local thermal properties with nanometer-scale resolution.
Topics & Concepts
Electron energy loss spectroscopyGrain boundaryThermal expansionMaterials scienceSpectroscopyScanning transmission electron microscopyNanoscopic scaleTransmission electron microscopyHigh-resolution transmission electron microscopyCondensed matter physicsElectronEnergy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopyScanning electron microscopeNanotechnologyComposite materialMicrostructurePhysicsQuantum mechanicsElectronic and Structural Properties of OxidesSemiconductor materials and devicesThermal Expansion and Ionic Conductivity