Electrical transport and structural properties of new superionic solids inthe system (Cu1-xAgxI)-(Ag2O)-(B2O3), (0.05 <= x <= 0.25)

Evaluation of electrical transport and structural characteristics of the ps eudo ternary system 40(Cu1-xAgxI)-45(Ag2O)-15(B2O3), where 0.05 less than o r equal to x less than or equal to 0.25 has been reported. Electrical condu ctivity measurements were made using complex impedance method. The extent o f contribution of ionic conductivity to the total electrical conductivity i n various compositions of the above system was determined by evaluating the ir ionic transport numbers (t(i)) using Wagner's method and the correspondi ng silver ionic transport numbers (t(Ag+)) by the E.M.F. technique. These m easurements have indicated the formation of superionic materials having ele ctrical conductivities of the order of 10(-4) to 10(-3) S cm(-1) at room te mperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, differential scanning calorime try (DSC) and fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic investigatio ns carried out on these materials have indicated the composite nature of th ese superionic solids consisting of glassy and crystalline phases. Thermoel ectric power (TEP) measurements have also confirmed the positive charge on the conducting species and activation energy for conduction in these materi als. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.