Monte Carlo simulation of diffusion and ionic conductivity in a simple cubic random alloy via the interstitialcy mechanism

Wilangowski F., Stolwijk N. A.

Abstract

This Monte Carlo study deals with mass and charge transport in binary ionic alloys governed by interstitialcy defects acting as diffusion vehicles. In particular, we calculate tracer correlation factors fA and fB in a simple cubic random alloy AB for diffusion via the collinear interstitialcy mechanism as a function of composition and jump frequency ratio wA/wB. Interstitialcy correlation factors fI, which play a crucial role in the interpretation of ionconductivity data, are also determined. The evaluation of partial correlation factors provides insight into the types of jumps that mostly contribute to the different transport processes under consideration. Examination of the percolation behaviour yields the site-percolation threshold of the mobile component B for wA = 0. Surprisingly, a unique second-order threshold composition is found, which relates to the abundance of different interstitialcy jump types when wAwB. Both numerically obtained threshold values are accurately reproduced by estimated analytical expressions based on simple arguments. Practical implications of the simulation results are explored by calculating tracer diffusivity ratios D∗A/D∗B and by comparing self-diffusion with ionic conductivity using the Nernst-Einstein equation.