Oxide Ultrathin Films

Preface SYNTHESIS AND PREPARATION OF OXIDE ULTRATHIN FILMS Introduction Basic Aspects of Fabrication Physical Methods Chemical Methods Oxide Nanosheets and Buried Layers Conclusions and Perspectives CHARACTERIZATION TOOLS OF ULTRATHIN OXIDE FILMS Introduction Structure Determination Techniques Spectroscopy Techniques Summary ORDERED OXIDE NANOSTRUCTURES ON METAL SURFACES Introduction Fabrication of Oxide Nanostructures Novel Structure Concepts Dimensionality Aspects: From Two- to One- to Zero-Dimensional Structures Transition from Two- to Three-Dimensional Structures: Growth of Bulk Structures out of Interfacial Layers Synopsis UNUSUAL PROPERTIES OF OXIDES AND OTHER INSULATORS IN THE ULTRATHIN LIMIT Introduction Evolution of Band Gap with Film Thickness Electronic Transport through Oxide Ultrathin Films Work Function Changes Induced by Oxide Films Nanoporosity: Oxide Films as Molecular and Atomic Sieves Flexibility of Oxide Thin Films and Polaronic Distortion Conclusions SILICA AND HIGH-k DIELECTRIC THIN FILMS IN MICROELECTRONICS Introduction Electrical Characterization of High-k Dielectrics on Silicon Theoretical Modeling of Gate Dielectric Films Models of the Structure and Properties of HfO2 Gate Dielectric Films Polycrystalline Gate Oxide Films Conclusions and Outlook OXIDE PASSIVE FILMS AND CORROSION PROTECTION Introduction Electrochemical Fundamentals of Passivation of Metals Chemical Composition, Chemical States, and Thickness of Passive Films on Metals and Alloys Two-Dimensional Oxide Passive Films on Metals Growth and Nanostructure of Three-Dimensional Ultrathin Oxide Films Corrosion Modeling by DFT Conclusion OXIDE FILMS AS CATALYTIC MATERIALS AND MODELS OF REAL CATALYSTS Introduction Oxide Thin Films Grown as Supports Systems to Model Real Catalysts Ultrathin-Film Catalysts Synopsis OXIDE FILMS IN SPINTRONICS Introduction Historical Notes Half-Metallic Manganites: The Case of LSMO Electric Control of Magnetization in Oxide Heterostructures Conclusions and Perspectives OXIDE ULTRATHIN FILMS FOR SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELLS Overview of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology Preparation of Oxide Ion Conductor Thin Films Nano Size Effects on Oxide Ion Conductor Films Power Generating Property of SOFCs using LaGaO3 Thin Films Development of mu-SOFCs Concluding Remarks TRANSPARENT CONDUCTING AND CHROMOGENIC OXIDE FILMS AS SOLAR ENERGY MATERIALS Introduction Transparent Infrared Reflectors and Transparent Electrical Conductors Thermochromics Electrochromics Summary and Concluding Remarks OXIDE ULTRATHIN FILMS IN SENSOR APPLICATIONS Introduction Sensor Applications SnO2-Based Gas Sensors Conclusion FERROELECTRICITY IN ULTRATHIN-FILM CAPACITORS Introduction Ferroelectricity: Basic Definitions Theoretical Methods for the Study of Bulk Ferroelectric Materials Modeling Ferroelectricity in Oxides Theory of Ferroelectric Thin Films Polarization Domains and Domain Walls Artificially Layered Ferroelectrics Conclusion and Perspectives TITANIA THIN FILMS IN BIOCOMPATIBLE METALS AND MEDICAL IMPLANTS The Advent of Titanium-Based Materials Biologically Relevant Physicochemical Properties of Native Titania Thin Films Strategies for Modification of the Surface Oxide Layer Biological Surface Science Biological Response to Surface Oxide Layers Slow Release Capacity of Nanoporous Titanium Oxide Layers Conclusion and Perspectives OXIDE NANOWIRES FOR NEW CHEMICAL SENSOR DEVICES Outline Introduction Synthesis Integration Metal Oxide Chemical Sensors Conductometric Sensors Optical Sensors