Crystal growth, structural and electrical properties of (Cu1-хAgx)7GeS5I superionic solid solutions

Abstract

Single crystals of (Cu1-хAgx)7GeS5I solid solutions were grown by vertical zone crystallization method. XRD studies have shown that they crystallize in face-centered cubic lattice of the argyrodite structure (space group F43m, Z=4). Structural studies were performed on the basis of original structure model by means of Rietveld refinement method. Electrical measurements were carried out in the temperature interval 300–360 K and in the range of frequencies 10 Hz–10 GHz. Temperature and frequency dependences of electrical conductivity were analyzed. Influence of cation substitution on the electrical conductivity as well as relationship between structural and electrical properties of (Cu1-хAgx)7GeS5I solid solutions were studied.