The Influence of Silver Ions on the Dielectric Dispersion Dipolar Relaxation Dynamics and Dielectric Breakdown Strength of Zinc Selenium Phosphate Glass System

Herein, a study on the dielectric properties of ZnO-P2O5-SeO2 glass ceramics containing varied contents of Ag2O is presented. Structural analysis of the samples by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectra, and optical absorption techniques indicated that the glasses are embedded with Ag3PO4, Ag2SeO3, and Zn-3(PO4)(2) anisotropic crystal phases along with Ag+ ions and Ag-0 particles. Dielectric properties, ac conductivity (& sigma;(ac)), and dielectric breakdown strength (DBS) are investigated as functions of Ag2O concentration. The results show the maximal concentration of Ag+ ions and Ag-0 metallic particles in the sample containing 0.6 mol% of Ag2O. Dielectric parameters and (& sigma;(ac)) increase with increasing Ag2O up to 0.6 mol%, while the DBS and electrical impedance decrease. The observed dipolar effects are quantitatively analyzed and possible dipoles are identified. Ionic contribution is predominant up to 0.6 mol% of Ag2O, beyond which the polaronic tunneling phenomenon prevails. These findings indicate that 0.6 mol% of Ag2O is the optimal concentration for using these glass ceramics as solid electrolytes in ionic batteries. Moreover, glass ceramics containing Ag2O beyond 0.6 mol% have exhibited larger polaronic conductivity, hence such glasses can be considered suitable candidates for electrodes in ionic batteries.