WHAT IS IONIC

CONDUCTIVITY

Ionic conductivity (denoted by λ) is a measure of a substance's

tendency towards ionic conduction. This involves the movement of
an ion from one site to another through defects in the crystal lattice of
a solid or aqueous solution.
NATURE OF IONIC
CONDUCTIVITY OF GLASS
The equivalent conductivity of glasses of the system increases
very sharply with the concentration of sodium in the glass.
This increase begins at a definite concentration, about 3–5 per cent
Na2O.
In the region of small concentrations of Na2O, the molecules of
the borates of sodium are separated from each other and
practically do not interact.
 n Ionic conducting glass

ANIONIC CATIONIC PROTONIC

OXIDE SULPHITE

SILICATE PHOSPHATE BORATE QUENCHED GERMANATE

Ionic conductivity mainly depends on the movement of ions

Normally glasses are inert but alkali glasses having mobile ion the glasses sometimes show ionic conductivity

Glass contains significant concentrations of alkali oxides, particularly sodium, the current is carried almost
entirely by alkali ions.

the conduction characteristics are determined by the concentration and mobility of the alkali ions.

Absorbance current:
Φ= potential
R= resistance
C = capacitance
T= time
Electrode Polarization: In order to avoid polarization effects in dc measurements of glass conductivity, it is
necessary to use an anode material capable of replenishing sodium ions that migrate through the glass.

conductivity increases with temperature

As the temperature is raised, the conductivity of a glass rapidly increases.

In a sodium silicate glass the conductivity increases in direct proportion to the sodium ion concentration

when CaO, MgO, BaO, or PbO replace a part of the silica conductivity decreases
IONIC CONDUCTION IN GLASS
In glasses containing significant concentrations of alkali oxides, particularly
sodium, the current is carried almost entirely by alkali ions. The
mobility of these ions is much larger than that of the network-forming
ions at high temperatures, and at temperatures below the glass transition
they are more mobile by several orders of magnitude.
When the current is carried completely by the alkali ions, their
transference number is unity, and the conduction characteristics are
determined by the concentration and mobility of the alkali ions.
CONDUCTION PROCEDURE
Glass contains atoms and molecules that do not occupy fixed positions.
A glass that contains molecules that attract one another can age with time.
We report such a glass that contains A2O and (OA)⁻ electric dipoles (A = Li
or Na).
At a temperature T < 1.2Tg ≈ 110°C (Tg is the glass transition temperature)
the electric dipoles coalesce with time.
In an applied electric field, the dipoles are oriented and, over time depending
on the T < 110°C, are aligned parallel to the field axis to yield a solid A ⁺
electrolyte with an ionic conductivity and a huge dielectric constant that
makes it suitable for many applications, including safe rechargeable batteries
of high energy density and long cycle life.
In most cases ionic conduction is due to the movement of a single ionic
species, either anion or cation.
We may express the conductivity, cr, as the product of carrier charge
concentration, n, and mobility, M

cr = ZenM

where Ze is the charge on the conducting ion.

HOW TO IMPROVE
CONDUCTIVITY
Several approaches adopted to improve the ionic conductivity of lithium
conducting glasses involve:
1) Increasing the modifier content in a glass.
2) Use of rapid quenching technique.
3) Addition of lithium salts.
4) Use of mixed glass formers.
APPLICATION OF
CONDUCTIVE GLASS

Used in different types of sensors.

Used as electrolytes.
Used in solid state batteries for which new glass compositions are being
developed.