Dynamics of Glassy, Crystalline and Liquid Ionic Conductors ― Experiments, Theories, Simulations

The subject of the book is the physics of the dynamics of ions and applications to electrical energy storage of the variety of ionically conducting materials of current interest. Three experts combine to address the experimental techniques for measurements and characterization, molecular dynamics simulations, the theories of ion dynamics, and applications. The experimental techniques of measurement and characterization of dynamics of ions in glassy, crystalline, and liquid ionic conductors are introduced with the dual purpose of teaching the reader the"how to" and preparing the reader to understand the physical quantities derived from experiments. The experimental techniques include calorimetry, conductivity relaxation, nuclear magnetic resonance, light scattering, neutron scattering, and others. Molecular dynamics simulations are introduced to teach the reader practical applications and to present the results that elucidate the dynamics of ions in some ways better than experiments. The properties of ion dynamics in glassy, crystalline and liquid ionic conductors are brought forth and shown to be universal, independent of physical and chemical structure of the ionic conductor as long as ion-ion interaction is the dominant factor. Moreover these universal properties of ion dynamics are shown to be isomorphic to other complex interacting systems including the large class of glass-forming materials with or without ionic conductivity. This part of the book is of great interest to the condensed matter physics community. Theories of ionic dynamics are reviewed. Though similar dynamics can be found in other complex interacting systems, only one can explain the universal properties of ion dynamics. Fundamental physics underlying the universal properties are pointed out and discussed. The final chapter deals with the applications of ionic conductors in various fields including energy storage, fuel cell technology, nanometer thin films, sensors, etc.