Ionic conductors
Ionic conductors are materials that allow the movement of ions through them. In these materials, ions are able to move under the influence of an electric field, creating an electric current. Ionic conductors can be solids, liquids, or gases, and they are often used in electrochemical devices such as batteries, fuel cells, and sensors.
In ionic conductors, the movement of ions is facilitated by defects in the crystal structure of the material, which create spaces where ions can move more easily. These defects can be intrinsic, meaning they are naturally present in the material, or they can be introduced through the addition of dopants or impurities.
Ionic conductors are important in a variety of technological applications. For example, solid-state lithium-ion batteries use solid-state ionic conductors as the electrolyte, which enables them to operate at higher voltages and temperatures than conventional liquid electrolyte batteries. Ionic conductors are also used in fuel cells, which convert the chemical energy of a fuel into electrical energy, and in sensors that detect the presence of certain ions in a solution.
