Diffuson-based thermal and ionic transport in Cu+ conducting materials

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Ionic conductivity of Cu+ and Ag+ in solids is often associated with low thermal conductivities. However, while low thermal transport is beneficial for a variety of applications such as thermoelectric, the underlying connection of heat and ionic transport is unclear. The proposal is based on the hypothesis that heat transport in these superionic conductors is not governed by classic phonon transport, but rather by local thermal energy exchange between phonons, the “diffusons”. The diffuson heat transport is suggested to stem from structural factors that also lead to ionic transport. Nevertheless, to corroborate this hypothesis, selected materials compositions need to be explored and a connection between heat and ion transport needs to be established. The proposal seeks a fundamental understanding and connection of heat and ionic transport in Cu+ - based thermoelectric materials, and will afterwards evaluate the required thermoelectric design principles in light of ion transport.