Water uptake of solids and its impact on ion transport

Abstract

The interaction modes of water with (polar) solids are manifold, comprising surface adsorption and incorporation into the bulk, both in molecular and in dissociated form. This Review discusses these processes and the respective pronounced effects on the ionic transport properties. The concentration as well as the mobility of ionic carriers can vary by orders of magnitude depending on the water content on or within a solid. Selected materials examples, which are relevant for electrochemical devices (for example, low- and intermediate-temperature fuel cells) or which are of fundamental interest (such as molecular water acting as dopant in a lithium halide), are treated in more detail. Interrelations between hydration and electronic defects are also briefly touched upon. The uptake of water by polar solids can modify electrical and mass transport properties. This Review discusses hydration mechanisms and surveys case studies of the effects water uptake has on transport properties in different materials.