Oxide Ultrathin Films Science and Technology

A wealth of information in one accessible book. Written by international experts from multidisciplinary fields, this in-depth exploration of oxide ultrathin films covers all aspects of these systems, starting with preparation and characterization, and going on to geometrical and electronic structure, as well as applications in current and future systems and devices.

Prof. Gianfranco Pacchioni is the Vice-Director of the Department of Materials Science at the University of Milano Bicocca. He received his degree in Chemistry from the University of Milan and was awarded his Ph. D. in Physical Chemistry from the Freie Universit?t Berlin, Germany. Prof. Pacchioni?s research activity is directed towards theoretical aspects of surface science and materials science, with particular emphasis on the properties of oxide materials, oxide ultrathin films and supported metal nanoclusters. He is author of about 400 papers, has edited a number of books and is on the editorial board of several journals.

Prof. Sergio Valeri is Director of the Department of Physics at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. He received his degree in Physics from the University of Bologna, Italy. Prof. Valeri?s research concentrates on solid surfaces and interfaces and low dimensional systems with emphasis on structural and electronic characterization of metal-semiconductor, metal-metal and metal-oxide thin and ultrathin films and interfaces, on the interaction of energetic particles with solid surfaces, and on the development of electron spectroscopies. Prof. Valeri has authored ca 200 papers in international refereed scientific journals.

Preface

SYNTHESIS AND PREPARATION OF OXIDE ULTRATHIN FILMS
Introduction
Basic Aspects of Fabrication
Physical Methods
Chemical Methods
Oxide Nanosheets and Buried Layers
Conclusions and Perspectives

CHARACTERIZATION TOOLS OF ULTRATHIN OXIDE FILMS
Introduction
Structure Determination Techniques
Spectroscopy Techniques
Summary

ORDERED OXIDE NANOSTRUCTURES ON METAL SURFACES
Introduction
Fabrication of Oxide Nanostructures
Novel Structure Concepts
Dimensionality Aspects: From Two- to One- to Zero-Dimensional Structures
Transition from Two- to Three-Dimensional Structures: Growth of Bulk Structures out of Interfacial Layers
Synopsis

UNUSUAL PROPERTIES OF OXIDES AND OTHER INSULATORS IN THE ULTRATHIN LIMIT
Introduction
Evolution of Band Gap with Film Thickness
Electronic Transport through Oxide Ultrathin Films
Work Function Changes Induced by Oxide Films
Nanoporosity: Oxide Films as Molecular and Atomic Sieves
Flexibility of Oxide Thin Films and Polaronic Distortion
Conclusions

SILICA AND HIGH-k DIELECTRIC THIN FILMS IN MICROELECTRONICS
Introduction
Electrical Characterization of High-k Dielectrics on Silicon
Theoretical Modeling of Gate Dielectric Films
Models of the Structure and Properties of HfO2 Gate Dielectric Films
Polycrystalline Gate Oxide Films
Conclusions and Outlook

OXIDE PASSIVE FILMS AND CORROSION PROTECTION
Introduction
Electrochemical Fundamentals of Passivation of Metals
Chemical Composition, Chemical States, and Thickness of Passive Films on Metals and Alloys
Two-Dimensional Oxide Passive Films on Metals
Growth and Nanostructure of Three-Dimensional Ultrathin Oxide Films
Corrosion Modeling by DFT
Conclusion

OXIDE FILMS AS CATALYTIC MATERIALS AND MODELS OF REAL CATALYSTS
Introduction
Oxide Thin Films Grown as Supports
Systems to Model Real Catalysts
Ultrathin-Film Catalysts
Synopsis

OXIDE FILMS IN SPINTRONICS
Introduction
Historical Notes
Half-Metallic Manganites: The Case of LSMO
Electric Control of Magnetization in Oxide Heterostructures
Conclusions and Perspectives

OXIDE ULTRATHIN FILMS FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS
Overview of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology
Preparation of Oxide Ion Conductor Thin Films
Nano Size Effects on Oxide Ion Conductor Films
Power Generating Property of SOFCs using LaGaO3 Thin Films
Development of mu-SOFCs
Concluding Remarks

TRANSPARENT CONDUCTING AND CHROMOGENIC OXIDE FILMS AS SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS
Introduction
Transparent Infrared Reflectors and Transparent Electrical Conductors
Thermochromics
Electrochromics
Summary and Concluding Remarks

OXIDE ULTRATHIN FILMS IN SENSOR APPLICATIONS
Introduction
Sensor Applications
SnO2-Based Gas Sensors
Conclusion

FERROELECTRICITY IN ULTRATHIN-FILM CAPACITORS
Introduction
Ferroelectricity: Basic Definitions
Theoretical Methods for the Study of Bulk Ferroelectric Materials
Modeling Ferroelectricity in Oxides
Theory of Ferroelectric Thin Films
Polarization Domains and Domain Walls
Artificially Layered Ferroelectrics
Conclusion and Perspectives

TITANIA THIN FILMS IN BIOCOMPATIBLE METALS AND MEDICAL IMPLANTS
The Advent of Titanium-Based Materials
Biologically Relevant Physicochemical Properties of Native Titania Thin Films
Strategies for Modification of the Surface Oxide Layer
Biological Surface Science
Biological Response to Surface Oxide Layers
Slow Release Capacity of Nanoporous Titanium Oxide Layers
Conclusion and Perspectives

OXIDE NANOWIRES FOR NEW CHEMICAL SENSOR DEVICES
Outline
Introduction
Synthesis
Integration
Metal Oxide Chemical Sensors
Conductometric Sensors
Optical Sensors