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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S61881/01
Title: New aspects of the structure & dynamics in nanocrystalline oxides
Principal Investigator: Chadwick, Professor A
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Physical Sciences
Organisation: University of Kent
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 January 2004 Ends: 31 December 2006 Value (£): 163,708
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Materials Characterisation Materials Synthesis & Growth
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Electronics
Related Grants:
GR/S61898/01
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
There has been enormous interest in ionic nanocrystalline materials for more than a decade offering improvements in properties such as ionic conductivity, and with exciting potential applications as advanced ceramics, catalysts, sensors and adsorbents. However there is still little understanding of the enhancement of these properties, and it is the effects of the nanocrystalline structure and impurity solubility on microstructure and ionic transport that will be investigated here. Three oxides (MgO, Zr02, CeO2) will be examined prepared by sol-gel and high-energy ball milling methods. To stabilise the particles against grain growth up to 1000C samples prepared within confinements, which our initial studies have shown is feasible, and pinning the boundaries will also be investigated. The samples will be characterised by a wide range of techniques. In addition details of the local structure of the oxide and the impurities will be studied by XFAS and O NMR spectroscopy of O-enriched samples. The structural information will be correlated to the AC impedance and O NMR relaxation measurements over a wide temperature range. These measurements will provide comprehensive structural and quantitative ionic conductivity data allowing the structural sources of the enhanced ionic conductivity in nanocrystalline oxides to be better understood.
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Organisation Website: http://www.kent.ac.uk