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Electronic access to glass transition in supercooled ionic liquids using ambipolar transistor
Tanima Kundu1, Rahul Paramanik1, Aishee Saha1
1Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, School of Physical Sciences, 2A & B Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India.
Physical Review. E
|July 24, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a novel electronic device for measuring ion dynamics in supercooled liquids, crucial for understanding materials near the glass transition. The method quantifies ion mobility and viscosity within solid-state devices, overcoming limitations of traditional techniques.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Relaxation dynamics in supercooled liquids approaching the glass transition are poorly understood.
- Conventional rheometry is incompatible with integrated electronic architectures.
- Ionic glass formers present unique challenges for characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an electrical probe for resolving ion-specific relaxation dynamics in ionic glass formers.
- To infer rheological parameters within an operating device environment.
- To quantify the fraction of mobile ions and their relaxation behavior near the glass transition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an ambipolar Palladium Diselenide (PdSe2) field-effect transistor as an electrical probe.
- Analyzed temperature evolution of transfer curve hysteresis and time-resolved current transients.
- Measured ion-specific relaxation dynamics and inferred rheological parameters.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a non-Arrhenius fragile slowdown in ionic glass formers.
- Quantified the fraction of mobile ions (p_eq(T)) and its reduction upon cooling.
- Observed fragmentation of mobile regions into percolating fractal clusters.
- Enabled temperature-dependent viscosity scaling and extraction of characteristic crossover temperatures.
Conclusions:
- The developed transistor-based method allows for rheological characterization within solid-state devices where conventional methods fail.
- The approach is sensitive to structural constraints, such as polymer confinement, affecting ion dynamics.
- This work provides new insights into the glass transition and relaxation dynamics of supercooled liquids.
