Conductivity-viscosity-structure: unpicking the relationship in an ionic liquid

J Phys Chem B. 2007 May 10;111(18):4678-84. doi: 10.1021/jp067073a. Epub 2007 Mar 3.

Abstract

The relationships between the ionic mobility, the viscosity, and the atomic-scale structure are investigated in computer simulations of mixtures of LiF and the network glass-forming material BeF(2). The simulations span a wide range of compositions, across which the fluidity of the system changes greatly due to the break-up of the Be-F network by the addition of the LiF. The relationship between the conductivity and viscosity passes from that expected for independently diffusing ions in the dilute mixtures to strongly decoupled Li+ migration through a viscous network at higher concentrations. The transition between these régimes is linked to the changing local and intermediate-scale structure in the melts. The decoupling phenomenon is associated with the appearance of migration channels in the network which leads to cooperative effects in the Li+ migration.

MeSH terms

  • Beryllium / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Fluorides / chemistry*
  • Ionic Liquids / chemistry*
  • Lithium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Ionic Liquids
  • Lithium Compounds
  • lithium fluoride
  • beryllium fluoride
  • Beryllium
  • Fluorides