ON THE ELECTRICAL-CONDUCTIVITY OF LI16-2XZNX(SIO4)4

Lithium-zinc silicate Li//1//6// minus //2//xZn//x(SiO//4)//4 with 0 less than equivalent to x less than equivalent to 4 is a family of compounds analogous to lisicon-lithium-zinc germanate. The latter is known as one of the best lithium ion solid conductors. Its electrical conductivity approaches at 300 degree C a value of 0. 12 OMEGA ** minus **1 cm** minus **1. The silicate variant is less conductive and due to that its other properties are not known as well as those of lisicon. It is not known, for example, how the electrical conductivity of the compound depends on composition. One particular advantage of the silicate compound is its low cost because pure silica is easily available. Ceramic samples of silicate were produced starting from SiO//2, ZnO, and Li//2CO//3 powders as substrates. Appropriate amounts of substrates corresponding to a given composition were wet mixed in toluene in a vibration mill for 24 h approximately. The rate of cooling of the samples from the sintering temperature was a parameter of great importance.