Electrical Conductivity Studies of AgCl:KCl (RbCl, CsCl) Composites and a Novel Method of Obtaining Highly Porous Materials

Two phase systems consisting of AgCl and KCl (or RbCl, CsCl) have been studied with respect to morphology and electrical properties. As expected from the contact of such Frenkel and Schottky disordered ionic conductors, substantial enhancement effects were not observed. In the case of AgCl:KCl, eutectic lamellar structures have been obtained and their conductivities measured using both macroscopic electrodes as well as microelectrodes. Leaching the alkali chloride out of the lamellar composite leads to a porous solid network. Potential applications of such microporous ionic silver halides as a gas sensor as well as a solid envelope for liquid electrolytes are considered.