Role of Defects in Metal Oxide Nanostructures

Abstract

Metal-oxide nanostructures (MOs) are ideal systems for exploring a large number of novel phenomena. The intrinsic defects and the induced defects in MOs can have a major role in the various properties exhibited by them. The modification of defects in a MO lattice can be done through different ways such as by varying synthesis conditions, by varying dopant, with changes in the morphology, and by various thermal treatments. This article provides a comprehensive review on basic principle and the state of art research activities related to role of defects in controlling the various parameters suitable for application of the MOs. The construction and integration of the metal oxide-based devices such as optoelectronic devices, photodetectors, sensors, memory devices and for energy storage devices must need knowledge about the role of defects in MOs. This chapter is dealing with the general concept of defects in solids, its formation and related changes in the properties exhibited by them. It further deals about the different types of defects and correlated properties of some of the well-known MOs such as ZnO, CuO/Cu2O, NiO and perovskite oxides. The defects modified properties and related applications are also given in detail. This book provides readers about the different pathways of modification of defects in MOs, and ways of identifying the defects in MOs and their characterization. This chapter will be beneficial for the readers to understand the rich physics of defects in MOs.