Nanocomposite ionic conductors in the system MeNO3-SiO2 (Me = Rb, Cs)

Electrical, thermodynamic and structural characteristics of meNO(3) (Me = R b, Cs) in composites (1 - x)MeNO3-xSiO(2) (x = 0-0.8) were investigated. Ad dition of highly dispersed silica (S-sp = 300 m(2)g(-1) and r(por) = 70 Ang strom) causes a sharp increase in the conductivity of MeNO3-SiO2 composites . The conductivity isotherms have smooth maxima for silica contents in the range 50-70 m/o corresponding to volume fractions of 35-57 v/o. According t o DSC and X-ray diffraction studies, a metastable amorphous high-conducting phase is formed on the MeNO3-SiO2 surfaces with x increasing as a result o f the interface interaction. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.