Transport Phenomena in Trivalent Ion Tungstates

Doreen D. Edwards, Alfred University, DMR 0602881

Materials that conduct charge through the movement of ions are used in batteries, fuel cells, and sensors. Some tungstates, like Sc2(WO4)3, are unusual because they

appear to transport charge through the movement of the WO4

2- anions, whereas

most ionic conductors transport charge through simple singly or double charged anions like Na+ or O2-.

A mix of experimental and computer modeling studies are being used to investigate transport in trivalent-cation tungstates. By building a better understanding of transport in tungstates and related materials, it may be possible to develop new ionic conductors for energy applications.

0.0008 0.0012 0.0016 0.0021/T (K -1)

-8

-7

-6

-5

-4

-3

Log 10

(,

S/c

m)

A l2(W O 4)3 In

2(W O 4)3

Sc2(W O 4)3

Sc3+

WO42-

Electrical conductivitymeasured as a function of temperature

Materials World Network Doreen D. Edwards, Alfred University, DMR 0602881

This Materials World Network Project is a collaboration among three research groups led by Doreen Edwards at Alfred University (AU) in the US, Arkady Neiman at Ural State University (USU) in Russia, and Stefan Adams at National University in Singapore (NUS).

In the US, one graduate student and two undergraduate students are gaining experience by working on the project.

Undergraduate researchers Brittany Higgins and Kara Vaneck are examining the computer modeling results provided by Stefan Adams (left) and learning how to measure electrical conductivity (right). Ms. Higgins will continue working on the project as a graduate student in January 2009 and will visit our collaborators the following summer.

AU

USU

NUS