Dislocation-mediated electronic conductivity in rutile

It has been recently shown that doping-like properties can be introduced into functional ceramics by inducing dislocations. Especially for TiO2, donor and acceptor-like behavior were observed depending on the type of mesoscopic dislocation network. However, these early reports could not fully elucidate mechanism behind it. In this work, we rationalize electrical dislocations targeted microelectrode impedance measurements, local conductivity atomic force microscopy, Kelvin probe microscopy deformed single crystals, comparing dislocation-rich deficient regions. With help finite element method calculations, a semi-quantitative model effect macroscopic is developed. The describes bundles as highly conductive regions in which respective space charges overlap induce temperature-independent, stable electronic conductivity. We illustrate unique tailored introducing believe results are cornerstone developing dislocation-tuned functionality ceramics.