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, Al2O3, and Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (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.