Metal -insulator transitions in non-stoichiometric, chromium, and titanium doped vanadium oxide thin films
Abstract
The major focus of the research was on the preparation of vanadium oxide thin films with metal-insulator transitions equivalent to those found in single crystals. Thin films of VO2, V1-x M'xO 2 (M' = Cr, Ti, Mo, W), V3O5, V6O 13, V2O3, and (V1-xMx) 2O3 (M = Cr, Ti) were prepared by the reduction of sol-gel derived vanadium oxide films in inert atmospheres. Subsequent anneals of un-doped V2O3 films in controlled oxygen atmosphere conditions yielded non-stoichiometric V2-yO3 films. In addition, thick films of V2O3 were produced using laser lift-off and particle embedding techniques. Vanadium oxide nano-crystals and nano-powders were synthesized via hydrothermal techniques for use as the embedded particle materials. The effect of thickness and orientation on the structure was examined in the V2O3 films. The majority of the films were grown on (0001)-oriented sapphire substrates, in addition films were grown on (11 20)-oriented sapphire, x and z-oriented-LiTaO3, (101)-oriented SiO2, and ZnSe substrates. V2O3 films with thicknesses of less than 450 nm grown on (0001)-oriented sapphire were shown to consist of well oriented, 10–100 nm diameter columnar grains when examined by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Films deposited on (0001)-oriented sapphire were found to possess a preferred (0001) orientation and those deposited on (11 20)-oriented sapphire, a preferred (1120) orientation. The x-ray diffraction patterns indicated that other orientations were present for films thicker than 450 nm. The optical transmission and electrical conductivity measurements on films revealed metal-insulator transitions characteristic of single crystal V2O3, (V1-xCrx)2O 3, (V1-zTiz)2O3, V 2-yO3 and VO2. Upon cooling from room temperature, the V2O3 films displayed a reversible metal-insulator transition at about 150 K, with an increase in electrical resistivity of about 106 and a change in optical transmission of about 75%. Doping the films with titanium or chromium produced changes in electrical and optical properties, similar to those produced in the single crystal materials. The relationship of film structure to the electronic properties of V2O 3 was also examined.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Slamovich, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Materials science
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.