Electrical conduction due to protons and alkali-metal ions in oxide glasses

Abstract

The activation energy for dc electrical conduction due to alkali ions of binary alkali silicate glasses and due to protons of binary alkaline-earth phosphate glasses decreases linearly with the logarithm of their concentrations (in mol/l). The activation energy is discussed in relation to the ionic radius and concentration. Hydrogen-bonded protons are much more mobile than sodium ions in the case of calcium phosphate glasses. The conduction mechanism due to protons is suggested to be different from that due to alkali ions.