Abstract
Oxides that are electronic and/or ionic conductors play an important role in many applications. Here we review the use of thin films of oxides for use as base electrodes for ferroelectrics, for use in magnetoresistive devices and for use in solid oxide fuel cells, with focus on chemical solution deposition methods for obtaining the films and on how the processing affects the properties. For base electrodes, LaNiO3 is being studied as a replacement for Pt. For magnetoresistive devices, Ca- and Sr-doped LaMnO3 exhibit colossal magnetoresistance and are studied to understand the relation between structure and properties. For solid oxide fuel cells, thinner electrolytes are highly interesting to lower the resistance and thereby enable lower operating temperatures. Chemical solution deposition methods give good stoichiometry control and can lower the processing temperature compared to traditional powder methods, enabling nanostructuring of grain sizes, grain boundaries and the porosity, both for electrolytes and cathodes. New developments in micro-solid oxide fuel cells for integration into portable devices are reviewed in the end.