DEFECT AND TRANSPORT-PROPERTIES OF NANOCRYSTALLINE CEO2-X

It is shown that unique defect thermodynamics and transport properties result for prides of a few nanometers crystallite size. Fully-dense C eO2-x, polycrystals of similar to 10 nm grain size were synthesized, a nd their electrical properties compared with those of samples coarsene d from the same material. The nanocrystals showed reduced gain boundar y resistance, 10(4) higher electronic conductivity, and less than one- half the heat of reduction of its coarse-grained counterpart. These pr operties are attributed to a dominant role of interfacial defect forma tion. (C) 1996 American Institute of Physics.