Ionic conductivity of Ag-x(GeSe3)(1-x) (0 <= x <= 0.571) glasses

Electrical properties of Ag-x(GeSe3)(1-x) (0 less than or equal to x less t han or equal to 0.571) glasses were investigated by impedance spectra and E MF measurements. As the concentration of silver is increased the total elec trical conductivity steeply increases from 10(-14) S/cm to 10(-3) S/cm at a bout x = 0.3. This rapid increase is chiefly due to an appearance of silver ion migration. Glass transition temperature showed a minimum at x = 0.33 a bove which a first sharp diffraction-peak in powder X-ray diffraction dimin ishes. This unusual transition supports a percolation hypothesis on photo-d issolution of silver in these glasses. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.