Protonic Conductivity in Imidazole Single Crystal

Abstract

Imidazole single crystal has a highly anisotropic conductivity; the ratio of conductivity in the $c$ and $a$ crystallographic directions is ∼10³. In the $c$ crystallographic direction, the hydrogen bonded direction, protonic carriers are discharged as hydrogen at the negative electrode. The limiting conduction process is possibly due to L‐defect injection and transport back down the hydrogen bonded chain after the proton is discharged. Conductivity in the $a$ direction is probably electronic and extrinsic.