Oxygen transport at the interface of La0.92MnO3−x film/Y0.15Zr0.85O1.925 single crystal

Oxygen transport was investigated at the interface of A-site deficient La0.92MnO3−x film/Y0.15Zr0.85O1.925 single crystal at 1073 K. Isotope oxygen exchange (16O/18O exchange) and secondary ion mass spectrometry analysis (SIMS analysis) were adopted to measure the oxygen diffusion profiles at the interface. It has been found that the as-deposited film, without heat treatment, exhibited a higher diffusivity than the La0.92MnO3 bulk, and its interface with Y0.15Zr0.85O1.925 single crystal acted as an oxide-ion blocking layer. Annealing at a temperature of 1273–1373 K made a contact between La0.92MnO3−x film and Y0.15Zr0.85O1.925 single crystal with many small spots, which were the pathways of oxygen diffusion. Annealing above 1473 K, a significant interdiffusion of cations and morphological change occurred at the interface. Although the oxygen diffusivity decreased in the La0.92MnO3−x film, smooth diffusion profiles were observed at the interface of La0.92MnO3−x film/Y0.15Zr0.85O1.925 single crystal.