Atomic-scale imaging of cation ordering in inverse spinel Zn2SnO4 nanowires.

Bao, Lihong; Zang, Jianfeng; Wang, Guofeng; Li, Xiaodong · Nano Lett · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

By using high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) coupled with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we demonstrate the atomic-level imaging of cation ordering in inverse spinel Zn2SnO4 nanowires. This cation ordering was identified as 1:1 ordering of Zn(2+) and Sn(4+) at the octahedral sites of the inverse spinel crystal with microscopic symmetry transition from original cubic Fd3̅m to orthorhombic Imma group. This ordering generated a 67.8% increase in the elastic modulus and 1-2 order of magnitude lower in the electric conductivity and electron mobility compared to their bulk counterpart.