I-V relations in semiconductors with ionic motion

Semiconductors with mobile donors and acceptors are mixed-ionic-electronic- conductors, MIECs, which exhibit peculiar electronic (electron/hole), I , current-voltage relations. This is a result of the redistribution of the ions under the applied electrical potential. MIECs are usually ionic materials which exhibit relative low electron/hole mobilities as compared to the materials used in the semiconductor industry. However, thin layers of MIECs exhibit a low resistance and fast response and become of increasing interest. The I -V relations are discussed for a few typical examples. It is shown that they depend on the energy band gap as when it is large, the semiconductor is either p-type or n-type. The I -V relations depend also on the nature of the electrodes, whether blocking for ion exchange or not. Experimental results for CuO are presented and analyzed using one of the models discussed. © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2006.