Electrode Polarization of Ionic Conductors

Abstract

Polarization observed on applying ac and dc electric fields to samples of β alumina, sodalime glass, and single crystals of sodium chloride have been studied. It is concluded that the large capacitances shown by these materials, which are generally attributed to space‐charge effects, are more likely caused by reactions at the electrodes which build up cell potentials. Electrochemical models, involving these cell potential effects, are presented and compared with previous space‐charge models which have been applied to solid electrolytes.