Electrical Conduction in Magnesium Phosphate Glasses Containing Heavy Water

The relation between deconductivity and the concentration of protons or deuterons was investigated in 45MgO · 55P 2 O 5 (in mol%) glasses containing small amounts of “water.” The conductivity was shown to increase in proportion to the square of the proton concentration as reported in calcium phosphate glasses. The same relation was found to be valid for the deuterated specimens, although their conductivity was somewhat lower than that in the protonated glasses when compared at the same concentration of OD or OH groups. These results strongly suggest that protons are the charge carriers in these glasses. The conductivities were measured also for specimens containing both protons and deuterons in different ratios. No distinct deviation was observed from additivity within the concentration range examined.