| Scope |
Interfaces play a key role in microstructure evolution of ceramic materials. Beyond that, many properties are dominated by interfacial properties, as evidenced for mechanical properties that depend on the grain boundary structure. For electronic materials, grain boundaries and interfaces can significantly affect charge carrier mobility. In most ceramic systems, interfaces include a charged core with an adjacent space charge, posing a significant challenge for applications in the field of ionic conductors as e.g. electrolytes in SOFC or solid-state electrolytes for Li batteries.
This symposium invites contributions addressing the thermodynamics, kinetics, and structure of interfaces and the resulting microstructure evolution and materials properties. These fundamental questions require contributions that address issues at various length scales, both experimental and theoretical. Of interest are the fundamentals of interface structure, chemistry, space charge, evolution and properties in functional settings such as batteries, fuel cells, ferroelectrics, photovoltaics, catalysts and sensors during processing or operation.
The symposium will include a panel discussion with an emphasis on identifying current paradigms and new directions for research on interfaces in ceramic materials. This discussion will provide an occasion for students and young researchers to gain an overview in a new field and to pose questions and discuss issues beyond textbook knowledge, and will serve to support the community as a whole in coordinating efforts and stimulating new co-operations.
Topics of this symposium include but are not limited to:
- Thermodynamic vs kinetic stability of interfaces
- Thermodynamics and kinetics of microstructural evolution:
sintering, grain growth, anisotropy
- Theory, modeling, data analysis and informatics methodology for predicting interface structure and structure-property relations across length and time scales
- Advanced (in-situ) characterization techniques applied to interfaces
- Fundamentals of space charge:
segregation, adsorption, electronic structures
- Impact of interfaces on applications:
ionic conductors, catalysis, and sensors |