Abstract
A novel superlattice structure based on epitaxial nanoscale layers of NbOx and Nb-doped SrTiO3 is fabricated using a layer-by-layer approach on lattice matched LAO substrates. The absolute Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity of the [(NbOx) a/(Nb-doped SrTiO3)b]20 superlattices (SLs) were found to increase with decreasing layer thickness ratio (a/b ratio), reaching, at high temperatures, a power factor that is comparable to epitaxial Nb-doped SrTiO3 (STNO) films (∼0.7 W m-1 K-1). High temperature studies reveal that the SLs behave as n-type semiconductors and undergo an irreversible change at a varying crossover temperature that depends on the a/b ratio. By use of high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, the irreversible changes are identified to be due to a phase transformation from cubic NbO to orthorhombic Nb2O5, which limits the highest temperature of stable operation of the superlattice to 950 K. © 2014 American Chemical Society.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 2726-2732 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Chemistry of Materials |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 9 2014 |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01Acknowledgements: S.R.S.K., H.N.A., and T.M.T. acknowledge the financial support of the KAUST Competitive Faculty-Initiated Collaboration Grant.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Chemistry
- General Chemical Engineering
- General Chemistry