Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Nanoionics were previously considered thermally unstable and infeasible for devices operating above 500 °C. Here, we elucidate the design principle for establishing stable nanoionics from various oxides. We utilized reversible solid oxide cells (SOCs) as the test bed and implemented nanoionics using atomic layer deposition (ALD). We demonstrate a straightforward, interface-controlled, practical approach to render a conformal, ∼15 nm thick ALD film, which initially thermodynamically favors the formation of a solid solution with the substrate into surface nanoionics with single or double layers of nanograins with random crystal orientations. The nanoionics exhibited conductivity estimated to be 7 orders of magnitude higher than that of their bulk-scale counterpart. They demonstrated conformability with uniform grain sizes of ∼15 nm, even after electrochemical operation for ∼500 h at 750 °C and 1000 h at 850 °C. The thermal stability and conductivity of such nanoionics represent a conceptual and technological framework in nanoionics.
Source: ACS Nano
Authors: Yun Chen, Cesar-Octavio Romo-De-La-Cruz, Fuming Jiang, Sergio Andres Paredes Navia, Xueyan Song
Institution: West Virginia University
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W7128712913