Inversion domain network stabilization and spinel phase suppression in ZnO

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

The development of inversion domain networks consisting of basal‐plane and pyramidal‐plane inversion domain boundary (b‐ IDB and p‐ IDB ) interfaces within grains in Sn‐Al dual‐doped ZnO (Zn 0.98 Sn 0.01 Al 0.01 O) polycrystalline ceramics has been confirmed using transmission electron microscopy. The atomic structure of the b‐ IDB and p‐ IDB interfaces has been analyzed using atomic‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. The localization of Sn and Al at the respective sites of the b‐ IDB s and p‐ IDB s was confirmed by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. In contrast to Sn or Al single‐dopant addition to ZnO, which results in the formation of spinel phase precipitates without the development of inversion domain networks, Sn‐Al dual‐doping caused the suppression of spinel phase formation and the formation of monophasic inversion domain networks composed of RM O 3 (ZnO) n homologous phase compound members, where R and M represent dopants substituting at the b‐ IDB and p‐ IDB sites, with a general formula of SnAlO 3 (ZnO) n . The results of this study demonstrate that the formation of inversion domain networks in ZnO‐based ceramics can be stabilized via multiple‐dopant addition. This finding has potential implications for the modification of the bulk or nanoscale properties based on the choice of the specific dopants, R and M , the control of the ratio R : M and the value of n in the RM O 3 (ZnO) n homologous phase compound members constituting the inversion domain networks.