In an unexpected new study, scientists at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities discovered that electron beam radiation, which they had previously believed damaged crystals, might help mend fissures in these nanostructures.
Perovskite defect might lead to transparent conductor
A defect found in barium stannate (BaSnO3) perovskite crystals could one day lead to a new type of transparent conductive film, according to scientists at the University of Minnesota.
The defect is a one-dimensional (line) defect that runs through single crystals of the material aligned with one of the crystal axis.
“The conductive nature and preferential direction of these metallic line defects mean we can make a material that is transparent like glass and at the same time very nicely directionally conductive like a metal,” said chemical engineer Professor Andre Mkhoyan. “This gives us the best of two worlds. We can make windows or new types of touch screens transparent and at the same time conductive. This is very exciting.”
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Home > Press > Conductive nature in crystal structures revealed at magnification of 10 million times: University of Minnesota study opens up possibilities for new transparent materials that conduct electricity
University of Minnesota Professor K. Andre Mkhoyan and his team used analytical scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), which combines imaging with spectroscopy, to observe metallic properties in the perovskite crystal barium stannate (BaSnO3). The atomic-resolution STEM image, with a BaSnO3 crystal structure (on the left), shows an irregular arrangement of atoms identified as the metallic line defect core.
CREDIT
Mkhoyan Group, University of Minnesota
Abstract:
In groundbreaking materials research, a team led by University of Minnesota Professor K. Andre Mkhoyan has made a discovery that blends the best of two sought-after qualities for touchscreens and smart windows transparency and conductivity.