Influence of defects upon mechanical properties of oxide materials

The rapid progress in nanotechnology leading to development of nanomaterials, nanoscale device, and their applications over the last decade has motivated researchers to develop new nanoscale materials with specific properties. Oxide nanomaterials of various dimensionality are a big family of nanomaterials widely served in recent decades and have been applied in diverse industries due to their interesting and unique properties. Ideally, we need nanomaterials with perfect and structurally single crystalline lattice, but a realistic judgment about nanomaterials highlights different kinds of imperfections formed within their structure during their synthesis process. These defects that might appear in the form of vacancies, cracks, dislocation, and grain boundaries severely affect their properties and performance. Therefore, it is of vital importance to take into account the impact of defects in their structure on different properties of oxide nanomaterials. Such a view of their characteristics may guarantee to a large degree their efficiency, integrity, and reliability under the demanded working conditions. This chapter focuses on the mechanical properties of the oxide materials under the influence of defects. For this purpose, after a brief introduction to the oxide materials, their origins and characteristics, the chapter outlines different dimensionalities of oxide materials, their mechanical properties, and their industrial applications. Next, we discuss different kinds of defects and their role in the mechanical properties of nano oxides. Subsequently, a brief overview of the latest theoretical and experimental research findings in this area was provided. Eventually, the chapter ends up with concluding remarks and challenges to give some angles about the future ahead of oxide materials.