Changes in the electrical conductivity and the tangent of the dielectric loss angle during decomposition of oversaturated solid solutions of the NaCl/AgCl system into equilibrium phases

Conclusions

• 1. We examined the effect of the decomposition of solid solutions of alkali halides and silver halides upon the electric conductivity and dielectric loss angle using the example of the NaCl/AgCl system.

• 2. The decomposition of solid solutions of alkali halides and silver halides passes through several complicated stages. In the first decomposition stage, the electric conductivity passes through one maximum, and the dielectric loss angle through two maxima. In the second stage of the decomposition process, both the electric conductivity and the dielectric losses decrease.

• 3. In addition to decreasing values of both the electric conductivity and the dielectric losses, the decomposition of solid solutions of the NaCl/AgCl system changes the activation energy for charge-carrier migration.

• 4. Measurements of the electric conductivity and of the dielectric losses permit one to follow the precipitation of equilibrium phases in oversaturated solid solutions. This method of observing the decomposition of solid solutions is convenient because it makes it possible to continuously observe the decomposition and to examine the initial stages of the decomposition process; these are important points for formulating an atomistic theory of the decomposition of oversaturated solid solutions.