, is the

The energy required to make the jump, Ea

activation energy.

Ionic Conductivity

Ionic Conductivity, σ, is defined the same as electrical

conductivity:
σ = nZem
where n is the number of charge carriers per unit volume, Ze is
the charge (e = 1.602189×10-19 C), and m is the mobility, which
is a measure of the drift velocity in a constant electric field.
Material Conductivity / (S m-1)
Ionic Conductors Ionic crystals <10-16 – 10-2
Solid electrolytes 10-1 – 103
Strong (liquid) electrolytes 10-1 – 103
Electronic conductors Metals 103 – 107
Semiconductors 10-3 – 104
Insulators <10-10
 Ionic Conductivity

The temperature dependence of the mobility of the ions

can be expressed by an Arrhenius equation.
  Ea
m

  where m is a proportionality constant
Ea
exp  m  m0 exp 0
 kT  or known as the pre-exponential factor

 kT 
m0 depends on the attempt frequency (frequency of vibration of
the lattice 1012-1013 Hz), distance moved by ion, and the size of
the external field.

If the external field is small (up to 300 V cm-1), a temperature

dependence of 1/T is present in the pre exponential factor.
0   Ea 
An expression for the variation of ionic conductivity: o  exp
 
The term σ0 contains n and Ze as well as the attempt frequency
and jump distance. Taking logs… T  –  Ea 
ln 
0  
T 
Plotting lnσT vs 1/T should produce a straight line with a slope of –E a.
lnσ vs 1/T is also used

Conductivities of Solid Electrolytes vs Temperature

NaCl