One-Step Mechanochemical Synthesis and Enhanced Ionic Conductivity of AgI-Al2O3 Composite Materials

Abstract

Abstract AgI-Al2O3 composite materials have been prepared by mechanical milling technique at room temperature. The product materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction and showed the characteristics of γ-AgI phase. The ionic conduction properties of the composite materials were studied by impedance spectroscopy measurements in the 300- to 470-K temperature range. A considerable increase in ionic conductivity by three orders of magnitude was observed in the composite materials compared with the pristine β-AgI phase. The enhanced ionic conductivity could be assigned to the increased defect concentration and the formation of two phase mixtures with the insulating Al2O3.