Solid State Ionics: from Michael Faraday to green energy-the European dimension

Area of Science:

• Solid State Ionics
• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• The field of Solid State Ionics originated in Europe, with foundational discoveries by Michael Faraday on solid electrolytes and key terminology.
• Early 19th and 20th-century European research focused on transport laws, structural analysis, disorder, entropy, and electrochemical energy storage/conversion.
• Pioneering work by Walther Nernst, including the Nernst equation and discovery of ionic conduction in doped zirconia, significantly advanced the field.

Approach:

• The development of the point defect concept by Frenkel, Schottky, and Wagner provided a framework for understanding ionic transport in crystals.
• Research has evolved to explore various disordered materials, including AgI-type solid electrolytes, ion-conducting glasses, polymer electrolytes, and nano-composites.
• Modern research investigates novel solid electrolytes for environmental applications, particularly in advanced solid-state battery systems, fuel cells, and sensors.

Key Points:

• The discovery of alpha silver iodide in 1914 highlighted the extraordinary properties of certain solid electrolytes.
• Point defect thermodynamics, developed by Schottky and Wagner, enabled visualization of ionic and electronic transport mechanisms.
• Progress in materials science shows point disorder preceding structural disorder in various ionic conductor types.

Conclusions:

• Solid State Ionics has a rich history of fundamental discoveries and theoretical advancements, primarily driven by European scientists.
• The field has continuously evolved, incorporating new material classes and defect theories to understand ionic transport.
• Contemporary research focuses on developing advanced solid electrolytes for sustainable energy technologies and environmental preservation.