Mid-infrared light resonance-enhanced proton conductivity in ceramics
Haobo Li1, Yicheng Zhu1, Zihan Zhao1
1Global College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
Nature Communications
|August 19, 2025
Summary
Mid-infrared light can enhance ionic conductivity in solid-state materials. This study shows selective vibrational excitation improves proton conductivity in yttrium-doped barium zirconate, offering a power-saving strategy for electrochemical devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid-State Chemistry
- Energy Storage
Background:
- Ionic transport is crucial for energy devices like batteries and fuel cells.
- Selective excitation of atomic vibrations is a promising strategy to enhance ionic transport.
- Direct experimental evidence for macroscopic ionic conductivity enhancement via this method is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate enhanced macroscopic ionic conductivity through selective vibrational excitation.
- To investigate the effect of mid-infrared (MIR) light on proton conductivity in yttrium-doped barium zirconate.
- To understand the mechanism behind MIR-induced conductivity enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 140 mW continuous-wave mid-infrared (MIR) laser to excite O-H stretch vibrations.
- Employed proton-conducting yttrium-doped barium zirconate as the material model.
- Measured bulk and grain boundary proton conductivities under MIR irradiation.
Main Results:
- Observed a reversible enhancement of 36.8% in bulk and 53.0% in grain boundary proton conductivities.
- Noted decreases in activation energy and prefactor for bulk proton conduction.
- Proposed that excited O-H vibrations relax into lattice modes, altering the proton's potential energy surface.
Conclusions:
- MIR irradiation is an effective, power-saving strategy to enhance ionic conductivity in solid-state materials.
- Selective modulation of vibrational properties can optimize the performance of electrochemical devices.
- This approach offers a pathway to reduce operational costs for solid-state energy devices.
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