TEM and DFT Study of Basal-plane Inversion Boundaries in SnO2-doped ZnO

In our recent study (Ribie et al. 2020) we reported the structure of inversion boundaries (IBs) in Sb2O3 -doped ZnO. Here, we focus on IBs that form in SnO2-doped ZnO. Using atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) methods we confirm that in SnO2-doped ZnO the IBs form in head-to-head configuration, where ZnO4 tetrahedra in both ZnO domains point towards the IB plane composed of a close packed layer of octahedrally coordinated Sn and Zn atoms. The in-plane composition is driven by the local charge balance, following Pauling's principle of electroneutrality for ionic crystals, according to which the average oxidation state of cations is 3+. To satisfy this condition, the cation ratio in the IB-layer is Sn4+ : Zn2+ =1:1. This was confirmed by concentric electron probe analysis employing energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showing that Sn atoms occupy 0.504 +/- 0.039 of the IB layer, while the rest of the octahedral sites are occupied by Zn. IBs in SnO2-doped ZnO occur in the lowest energy, IB3 translation state with the cation sublattice expansion of Delta IB(zn-zn) of +91 pm with corresponding O-sublattice contraction Delta IB(O-O) of -46 pm. Based on quantitative HRTEM and HAADF-STEM analysis of in-plane ordering of Sn and Zn atoms, we identified two types of short-range distributions, (i) zigzag and (ii) stripe. Our density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the energy difference between the two arrangements is small (similar to 6 meV) giving rise to their alternation within the octahedral IB layer. As a result, cation ordering intermittently changes its type and the direction to maximize intrinsic entropy of the IB layer driven by the in-plane electroneutrality and 6-fold symmetry restrictions. A long-range in-plane disorder, as shown by our work would enhance quantum well effect to phonon scattering, while Zn2+ located in the IB octahedral sites, would modify the the bandgap, and enhance the in-plane conductivity and concentration of carriers.

Automated summary

In this study, the structure of inversion boundaries (IBs) in SnO2-doped ZnO was investigated using atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy methods. It was found that IBs form in a head-to-head configuration, with a cation ratio in the IB-layer of Sn4+ : Zn2+ =1:1. Analysis revealed two types of short-range distributions of Sn and Zn atoms in-plane, namely zigzag and stripe. Density functional theory calculations showed a small energy difference between the two arrangements, leading to their intermittent alternation within the IB layer driven by in-plane electroneutrality and 6-fold symmetry restrictions.