Electrode Polarization of Ionic Conductors

Abstract

Polarization observed on applying ac and dc electric fields to samples of β alumina, sodalime glass, and single crystals of sodium chloride have been studied. It is concluded that the large capacitances shown by these materials, which are generally attributed to space-charge effects, are more likely caused by reactions at the electrodes which build up cell potentials. Electrochemical models, involving these cell potential effects, are presented and compared with previous space-charge models which have been applied to solid electrolytes.