Space Charge Signature and Its Effects on Ionic Transport in Heterogeneous Solids

The Arrhenius plots of heterogeneous solids comprising of lithium aluminum titanium phosphate (LATP) glass–ceramic, Al 2 O 3 , and Ba 0.6 Sr 0.4 TiO 3 (0.6 BST) exhibit an inflection or peak around 27°C, which is interpreted as a signature of space charge. The space charge is formed by the adsorption of lithium ions onto the dielectric phases below 27°C. The space charge is also a source of an electric field, which influences the transport of conducting ions. The adsorbed ions are desorbed above 27°C, resulting in a reduction or elimination of the space charge effect. A high dielectric constant phase, 0.6 BST, retains the space charge effect even at temperatures greater than 27°C.