Thin films of the protonic conductor gadolinium-doped barium cerate by solid-source metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Gadolinium-doped barium cerate thin films have been grown on r-plane (11̄02) sapphire and on silver foil substrates by single solid-source metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using tetramethylheptanedionate mixed powder sources. The films have been deposited at 800 °C at a reduced pressure of 6 Torr. The bulk conductivity of the thin films, as measured by an alternating current impedance method, is close to that of sintered ceramic samples, and shows a similar hydrogen/deuterium isotope effect, providing evidence of protonic conduction.