An Introduction to Metal Oxides

Abstract

Metal oxides (MOs) are important due to their tuneable electrical, magnetic and optical properties. These find a wide range of applications. MOs are stable and durable and are used widely in industries related to the environment, security, medicines, petrochemicals, and agricultural fields. The surface morphology and crystalline structure of MOs can be tailored by modifications in the synthesis routes and conditions. This opens a wide range of applicability. This chapter briefs about a structure correlated study of physical, chemical, and optical properties of several important MOs and their potential applications/scopes. There is a clear advantage of MOs over sophisticated electronic materials in terms of stability. The electronic/optoelectronic and magnetic properties bear a rich physics. Nanostructured and thin-film materials and their possible use in diodes, transistors, optoelectronic/electronics, magnetic storage media, microstrip antennas, catalysis, energy conversion, sensing properties, solar cells, batteries, and other energy devices, will be discussed. Different structures and their relevance to the functionalities will also be covered. This chapter provides an insight into contemporary research and developments, thus leading the reader to experience the structure correlated properties of the MOs. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.