Probing ion transport at the nanoscale: Time-domain electrostatic force spectroscopy on glassy electrolytes

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that time-domain electrostatic force spectroscopy using an atomic force microscope can effectively probe ion transport dynamics at the nanoscale in glassy electrolytes, aligning well with macroscopic electrical measurements.

Contribution

The paper introduces the application of electrostatic force spectroscopy to investigate ion transport at the nanoscale in glassy electrolytes, providing a new tool for nanoscale ion dynamics analysis.

Findings

Electrostatic force spectroscopy data is consistent with macroscopic electrical data.

The method can probe ion dynamics in nanoscopic subvolumes.

Temperature-dependent ion transport behavior is characterized.

Abstract

We have carried out time--domain electrostatic force spectroscopy on two different ion conducting glasses using an atomic force microscope. We compare the electrostatic force spectroscopic data obtained at different temperatures with macroscopic electrical data of the glasses. The overall consistency of the data shows that electrostatic force spectroscopy is capable of probing the ion dynamics and transport in nanoscopic subvolumes of the samples.