Direct evidence of dopant segregation in Gd-doped ceria

Microstructures and segregations of dopants and associated oxygen vacancies in gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) have been characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning TEM (STEM). Diffuse scattering was detected in 25 at. % GDC (25GDC) in comparison to 10GDC, which is ascribed to nanodomain formation in 25GDC. HRTEM, dark-field, and STEM Z-contrast imaging investigations all provide direct evidence for dopant segregation in doped ceria. It is illustrated that dopant cations cannot only segregate in grain interior forming larger nanodomains but also at grain boundary forming smaller ones. Detailed analyses about nanodomain formation and related dopant segregation behaviors are then elucidated. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3556650]