Date of Award
1994
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Abstract
This investigation describes a theoretical and experimental examination of the defect properties of rubidium chloride. A theoretical study of the defect properties of RbBr and RbI is also presented.;Defect energy calculations were carried out on RbCl, RbBr and RbI using the HADES code and electron-gas potentials that were fitted to the crystal properties. Damping of the long-range dispersion energy was introduced during fitting of the potential and in the calculation of perfect lattice and defect properties.;In addition, defect energy calculations were done on Rb{dollar}\sb2{dollar}S using potentials developed for the RbCl:S{dollar}\sp{lcub}2-{rcub}{dollar} system. These calculations represent the first theoretical study of the defect energies of Rb{dollar}\sb2{dollar}S.;Ionic conductivity measurements were made on pure, strontium-doped and sulphide-doped rubidium chloride using a new automated system. The data were analysed by means of a nonlinear least squares fitting routine. The analysis of the data suggested that both Schottky and anion Frenkel defects play a role in matter transport in RbCl. Cation interstitials were also found to be present in a small concentration. Vacancy pairs were found to contribute to diffusion, as had been indicated previously in diffusion studies of RbCl{dollar}\sp{lcub}1,2{rcub}{dollar}.;The calculated defect energies and the experimental enthalpies were in good agreement, suggesting the reliability of both the data analysis and the calculation methods used.
Recommended Citation
Vernon, Marcia Lee, "Ionic Conductivity Of Rubidium Chloride" (1994). Digitized Theses. 2360.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/2360