THE TRANSPORT-PROPERTIES OF NANOCRYSTALLINE SRCE0.95YB0.05O3 THIN-FILMS

The results of electrical transport measurements on nanocrystalline Sr Ce0.95Yb0.05O3 thin films are presented. Dense SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3 thin f ilms with 30-70 nm grain size have been obtained using a spin-coating technique. These films exhibit about 10(3) higher electrical conductiv ity when compared with the bulk polycrystalline material. The grain si ze of thin films is stable to temperatures as high as 1000 degrees C s ince no grain-coarsening was observed. These unique electrical propert ies of nanocrystalline SrCe0.95Yb0.05O3 thin films are attributed to a dominant role of grain boundaries and/or interfaces. (C) 1996 America n Institute of Physics.