| Abstract Scope |
The nonstoichiometric phases of fluorite-related rare earth oxides have been regarded to be difficult to grow in a single crystal form because they possess high melting temperatures and are usually obtained as the mixtures of some RnO2n-2m phases. Here, our unique dc electrolysis method can be simply applied to grow a specific nonstoichiometric phases in a single crystal form at moderate temperatures at around 800 °C, which is fur below the melting point. By dc electrolysis of trivalent terbium ion conducting Tb2(MoO4)3 solid, single crystals of nonstoichiometric rare earth oxide phases were artificially grown. The selective growth of a specific phase has been successfully demonstrated by controlling the oxygen partial pressure, the electrolysis temperature, and also the dc voltage applied during the electrolysis. The growth of high-quality single crystals has been proved by the selected area electron diffraction analysis method. |