OVM / Mixed valence oxides

  • Conception and elaboration of oxides with controlled morphology and microstructure, and characterised in particular by a high proportion of surface (or interface) atoms
  • Study of the contribution of surface atoms to the possible stabilisation of new phases (nonstoichiometric, new isomorphic phases…), study of structure/microstructure/properties relationships

Research Themes - Mixed Valence Oxides (OVM)

The oxides are developed within the Team under a number of shapes :

  • nanoparticles or micronic powders, generally elaborated using “soft” techniques (precursors, hydrothermal syntheses, colloidal synthesis)
  • solid-state or thick-layered ceramic, conventionally or SPS sintered
  • RF-sputtering supported and prepared thin films

Two major parts in our presentation :

A first part will deal with the studies related to nanoparticles, micronic powders and sintered ceramics as there is a strong link between the features of solid or thick-layered ceramics and powders. Thin films will be dealt with in another part because of their “plasma” elaboration process and their looser links with the other oxides.

The Mixed Valence Oxides Team looks into new avenues to explore from fundamental research in various technological sectors : electronics, aeronautics, metallurgy, information storage, sun power storage and conversion.

Our team collaborates with many industrialists and major state-run bodies (DGA (army), CEA (nuclear power)), who are high-performance materials manufacturers or users. There have been a lot of studies over the last four years, sometimes they have been highly classified and therefore not published. The novel applications of original oxides, especially those patented, will briefly be described in each part of the report defined above.