Electrical properties of ceramics in the system Li2O-ZnO

The electrical properties of poly-phase ceramics in the system Li₂O-ZnO were studied. The specimens obtained were confirmed to be composed of Li₂ZnO₂, ZnO and some Li₄ZnO₃, by X-ray diffraction. Li₂ZnO₂ was assumed to possess a hexagonal structure with cell parametersa=0.812 nm andc=0.673 nm. Electrical conductivity increased with increasing temperature up to 420° C, and decreased abruptly above 420° C. The temperature dependence of the ionic transference number showed that ionic conduction was dominating above 300° C, while mixed conduction occurred below 300° C. The dependence of electrical resistivity on relative humidity was also measured at room temperature. Electrical resistivity exponentially decreased five orders of magnitude with increasing relative humidity from 5 to 95%. The decrease in electrical resistivity with increasing relative humidity might be caused by LiOH formed on the surface of the specimens.