COMPOSITE SOLID ELECTROLYTES MENO(3)-AL2O3 (ME=LI, NA, K)

Conductivities of nitrate composites (1 - x)MeNO(3)-xAl(2)O(3), where M = Li, Na and K, were investigated in comparison with conductivities of the individual salts. The composites were prepared by mechanical tr eatment in planetary mills followed by sintering. Conductivity isother ms exhibit maxima at x = 0.40-0.60, with the conductivity values aroun d 10(-2) S/cm at 500 K, these are 10(3)-10(5) times higher than those of the pure salt. Temperature dependences of conductivity are not line ar in Arrhenius coordinates. A possible reason for the drastic change of transport properties of nitrates in composites under study may be t he stabilization of amorphous high-conducting phases of nitrates which are formed on MeNO(3)-Al2O3 contacts as a result of the interface int eraction between the components.