Electrical characterization of superionic materials in<b> </b>the system (Cu_1-xAg_xI)-(Ag₂O)(P₂O₅), (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) for solid state batteries

Abstract

Superionic materials in the system 30(Cu_1-xAg_xI)-46.66(Ag₂O)-23.33(P₂O₅), where x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25 respectively, were prepared using the melt quenching process. The electrical conductivity measurements were made in the temperature range 295-445 K by the complex impedance method. The room temperature electrical conductivity values observed for five different samples of the system are found to be of the order of 10^-6 to 10^-4 Scm^-1. The best conducting composition was found to exhibit an electrical conductivity as high as 1.15×10^-4 Scm^-1 at 295 K. From the temperature-dependent conductivity studies, the values of activation energy of these materials are found to be less than 0.5 eV. The ionic transport number (<i>t</i>_i)<i> </i>values for these materials are found to be greater than 0.96. These measurements confirm the formation of superionic materials in this system and their suitability for battery applications as solid electrolytes.