Effects of temperature and electric field on the transport mechanisms in the porous microstructure

Abstract

The electrical characterizations of nanoporous zeolite and transport mechanisms were studied for the first time in a wide operating temperature range (28-800 K) and electric field strength (60-200 kV/cm) at room temperature. The influence of temperature, electric field and cell types on the dc conductivity was described. The resistivity decreased from 2.34 × 1010 to 2.17 × 108 Ω m whiles the temperature increased from 28 to 800 K which is associated with the ionic mobility. The existence of water in the channels and pores is the decisive parameter in the ionic transport and it depends strongly on the electric field. When a high voltage was applied to gas discharge gap and porous structure, ionization phenomena increased. In this stage, electronic conduction also contributed to zeolite dc conduction. Therefore, the ionic and electronic transport mechanisms and their interactions are essential in enhancing applications in microdischarge devices with nanoporous zeolite cathodes. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.