Diffuson-based thermal and ionic transport in Cu+ conducting materials

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Wolfgang Zeier
• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry of Solids and Surfaces, Material Characterisation ; Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 526401433

Ionic conductivity of Cu+ and Ag+ in solids is often associated with low thermal conductivities. However, while low thermal transport is beneficial for a variety of applications such as thermoelectric, the underlying connection of heat and ionic transport is unclear. The proposal is based on the hypothesis that heat transport in these superionic conductors is not governed by classic phonon transport, but rather by local thermal energy exchange between phonons, the “diffusons”. The diffuson heat transport is suggested to stem from structural factors that also lead to ionic transport. Nevertheless, to corroborate this hypothesis, selected materials compositions need to be explored and a connection between heat and ion transport needs to be established. The proposal seeks a fundamental understanding and connection of heat and ionic transport in Cu+ - based thermoelectric materials, and will afterwards evaluate the required thermoelectric design principles in light of ion transport.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants