TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-patterned nanocrystals in Zn-In-Sn-O thin films
AU - Zhang, M.
AU - Buchholz, D. B.
AU - Xie, S. J.
AU - Chang, R. P.H.
N1 - Funding Information:
This project was supported by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and National Science Foundation (NSF) at the Materials Research Center of Northwestern University. TEM was performed in the EPIC facility of NUANCE Center at Northwestern University. NUANCE Center is supported by NSF-NSEC, NSF-MRSEC, Keck Foundation, the State of Illinois, and Northwestern University.
PY - 2008/2/1
Y1 - 2008/2/1
N2 - Self-patterned nanocrystals (NCs) with size, shape and composition fluctuation similar to quantum dots (QDs) in conventional semiconductors were formed in epitaxial Zn0.3In1.4Sn0.3O3-δ (ZITO) thin films on (1 1 1) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrate. The diameters of the NCs range from 5 to 30 nm. Chemical composition in and around NCs was analyzed by high-angle-angular-dark-field (HAADF) imaging and nanobeam composition line scanning in an advanced (scanning) transmission electron microscope. The NCs are rich in heavier elements compared with their surrounding medium. The formation of self-patterned NCs and its tuning effects on charge transport and optical transparency of ZITO films are also discussed.
AB - Self-patterned nanocrystals (NCs) with size, shape and composition fluctuation similar to quantum dots (QDs) in conventional semiconductors were formed in epitaxial Zn0.3In1.4Sn0.3O3-δ (ZITO) thin films on (1 1 1) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrate. The diameters of the NCs range from 5 to 30 nm. Chemical composition in and around NCs was analyzed by high-angle-angular-dark-field (HAADF) imaging and nanobeam composition line scanning in an advanced (scanning) transmission electron microscope. The NCs are rich in heavier elements compared with their surrounding medium. The formation of self-patterned NCs and its tuning effects on charge transport and optical transparency of ZITO films are also discussed.
KW - A1. Defects and interfaces
KW - A1. Quantum dots or nanocrystals
KW - A1. Transmission electron microscopy
KW - B1. Transparent conducting oxide thin films
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2007.11.021
DO - 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2007.11.021
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:37849034944
VL - 310
SP - 671
EP - 675
JO - Journal of Crystal Growth
JF - Journal of Crystal Growth
SN - 0022-0248
IS - 3
ER -