Nanocomposite ionic conductors in the system MeNO3–SiO2 (Me=Rb, Cs)

Electrical, thermodynamic and structural characteristics of MeNO3 (Me=Rb, Cs) in composites (1−x)MeNO3–xSiO2 (x=0–0.8) were investigated. Addition of highly dispersed silica (Ssp=300 m2 g−1 and rpor=70 Å) causes a sharp increase in the conductivity of MeNO3–SiO2 composites. The conductivity isotherms have smooth maxima for silica contents in the range 50–70 m/o corresponding to volume fractions of 35–57 v/o. According to DSC and X-ray diffraction studies, a metastable amorphous high-conducting phase is formed on the MeNO3–SiO2 surfaces with x increasing as a result of the interface interaction.