Defect Chemistry and transport, in metal oxides

Chapter 3 Defect Chemistry and Transport in Metal Oxides 55... 

The complex phase diagrams and rich crystal chemistry of the transition metal-containing oxide systems, and great diversity in the defect chemistry and transport properties of mixed-conducting materials known in these systems, make it impossible to systematize all promising compositions in a brief survey. The primary attention here is therefore centered on the comparison of major families of the oxide mixed conductors used for dense ceramic membranes and porous electrodes of SOFCs and other high-temperature electrochemical devices. 

Often the most important properties of materials are directly or indirectly connected to the presence of defects and in particular of point defects [126,127]. These centers determine the optical, electronic, and transport properties of the material and usually dominate the chemistry of its surface. A detailed understanding and a control at the atomistic level of the nature (and concentration) of point defects in oxides are therefore of fundamental importance also to understand the nature of the metal-oxide interface. The accurate theoretical description of the electronic structure of point defects in oxides is essential for understanding their structure-properties relationship but also for a correct description of the metal-oxide interface and of the early stages of metal deposition on oxide substrates. 

We anticipated the need for other volumes to follow the first four, both to cover topics already mature but not included and others whose time had not yet come. We underestimated both aspects of this need. There is a time for a review of past work when the review itself promotes understanding and stimulates new lines of research. In response to this the publisher will continue the series to assure an evolving authoritative and comprehensive Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths. Volume 5 contains new topics concerning thin films of alloys and compounds, transport properties of intermetallic compounds, catalytic behavior of metallic and non-metallic surfaces, defects and transformations in oxides, physical and chemical properties of fluorides, and spectroscopic properties of lanthanide ions in a variety of ionic hosts. 

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