Abstract
This article focuses on the properties of the BaCeO3 thin films formed by electron-beam vapor deposition and investigates the formation of barium cerates on supports with different thermal expansion coefficients (Stainless Steel, Invar, Glass Sealing, and Inconel substrates) and the influence of the technological parameters on the properties of the formed thin films with an emphasis on the stability of the films. Morphology and phase composition and mechanical and electrical properties were investigated. It was found that the main factors influencing the phase composition and morphology of the films are the temperature of the support and the deposition rate. However, the mechanical properties of the films are mostly influenced by strains introduced to thin films by using different supports. Two interesting features of the electrical properties of the studied strained films were noticed: the film with the highest in-plane tensile strain showed the lowest activation energy of total conductivity, whereas the film with the lowest strain showed the highest value of total conductivity.
Highlights
Many electrochemical devices utilizing either oxide-ion or proton-conducting oxides, e.g., solid oxide fuel cells, proton ceramic fuel cells, electrolyzers (SOFCs, PCFCs, SOECs, PCECs, etc.), and various gas sensors are constructed as thin layer systems
It is well known that the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficients introduces strains into the films and may have an influence on the morphology of the formed thin films
The films deposited at room temperature and 150 ◦ C, especially those formed at high deposition rates, were cracked
Summary
Many electrochemical devices utilizing either oxide-ion or proton-conducting oxides, e.g., solid oxide fuel cells, proton ceramic fuel cells, electrolyzers (SOFCs, PCFCs, SOECs, PCECs, etc.), and various gas sensors are constructed as thin layer systems. Functional layers are deposited on metal supports. Given the increasing interest in metal-supported oxide film systems, for instance, in metal-supported proton fuel cells [1,2], it is very important to study the properties of metal-supported oxide films. Several factors influence the properties of metal-supported oxide films. The important parameters are the thickness of the films and the strain. Ultrathin oxide films on metal supports have been intensively studied because of their properties intrinsically connected with interfacial interactions between oxide and metal. Charge-transfer processes through the oxide film and the development of built-in electric fields were proposed to result in interesting physical and chemical properties of oxide films, especially their higher catalytic activity [3].
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