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Molecular dynamics simulation of the temperature-dependent ionic conductivity in sodium(I)-[beta][double prime]-alumina

Journal Article · · Chemistry of Materials; (United States)
OSTI ID:6768172
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA (United States)
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has been applied to a study of structure, ion motion, and superlattice formation in the fast ion conductor, sodium(I)-[beta][double prime]-alumina. The results reproduce, in a general way, the curved variation of ionic conductivity with temperature observed in an Arrhenius-type plot of single-crystal conductivity data for the compound. The curvature in the conductivity plot may be explained as resulting from an evolution in the conduction mechanism from a vacancy mechanism at high temperatures to highly correlated superlattice motion at lower temperatures. A correlation is seen between the location of Mg(II) ions in the spinel blocks and the ion/vacancy arrangement in the conduction layers. 17 refs., 10 figs.
OSTI ID:
6768172
Journal Information:
Chemistry of Materials; (United States), Journal Name: Chemistry of Materials; (United States) Vol. 4:1; ISSN CMATEX; ISSN 0897-4756
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English