Transition metal oxides: Promising functional materials

Transition metal oxides represent a considerable potential for the generation of new frameworks with new magnetic and transport properties with a view of applications in the field of electronics. Three examples of ceramics are reviewed herein, which are all characterized by a mixed valence of the transition element, allowing electronic delocalization to be produced: high Tc superconducting cuprates (Cu2+/Cu3+), thermoelectric cobaltites (Co3+/Co4+) and colossal magnetoresistance manganites (Mn3+/Mn4+).