What is the Difference Between Electronic and Ionic Conduction

Conduction is the process by which electric current flows through a material. There are two main types of conduction: electronic and ionic conduction. Both electronic and ionic conduction involve the movement of charged particles within a material. However, there is a difference in the nature of these charged particles.

What is the difference between electronic and ionic conduction? In electronic conduction, the charge carrier is electrons, whereas in ionic conduction, the charge carrier is ions.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Electronic Conduction
      – Definition, Features 
2. What is Ionic Conduction
      – Definition, Features 
3. Similarities Between Electronic and Ionic Conduction
      – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Electronic and Ionic Conduction
      – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Electronic and Ionic Conduction
      – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

Electronic Conduction, Ionic Conduction

What is Electronic Conduction

Metals are made up of atoms. There are loosely bound electrons in these atoms that can be removed from the electron pool outside of the atoms in the metal. When an electric field is applied, these electrons move in response to that, creating an electric current. This is called the electric conduction. Metals with a higher abundance of free electrons have a higher conduction ability. Materials like rubber have tightly and strongly bound electrons to their atoms. Therefore, they have low conduction ability. Such materials are called insulators.

The ease with which electrons flow depends on the material’s conductivity. A conductor with high conductivity has minimum resistance to the electron current such as copper. In insulators with low conductivity, such as glass, the electrons resist the flow.

Electronic conduction could be seen in different applications found in day today life. Power grids rely on electron conduction through conducting wires to carry electricity from generation plants to homes, businesses, and industries. Electron conduction can also be seen in various electronic devices such as smart phones, computers, TVs and game consoles. Conduction also plays a role in electrochemical reactions, where charged particles move between electrodes. This is the principle behind batteries, where chemical reactions create an electric current.

What is Ionic Conduction

Ionic conduction is the movement of charged atoms, called ions, within a material. In some materials, like certain ceramics and molten salts, some ions within the lattice can move. This mobility is due to vacancies in the lattice, which makes the lattice arrangement imperfect.

When an electric field is applied, these mobile ions are attracted to the oppositely charged electrode, but they do not show free flowing like in electron movement. Instead, these jump from one vacancy to another within the lattice. This jumping rate increases with increasing temperature. Hence, the ionic conduction is increased.

There are many applications of ionic conduction.  It is used in energy storage and conversion, in ion selective electrodes and solid-state gas sensors.

Similarities Between Electronic and Ionic Conduction

1. Both involve the movement of charged particles within a material.
2. The efficiency of both conduction types depends on the material’s properties.
3. Both conduction mechanisms contribute to the transfer of electrical energy within a material.

Difference Between Electronic and Ionic Conduction

Definition

• Electronic conduction is the movement of electrons within a material in response to an applied electric field, creating an electric current, while ionic conduction is the movement of charged atoms, called ions, within a material.

Charge Carriers

• Electronic conduction involves the movement of free electrons, whereas ionic conduction involves the movement of charged ions.

Occurs In

• Electronic conduction typically occurs in metals and semiconductors, while ionic conduction occurs in electrolytes (ionic solutions) and some molten salts.

Chemical Changes

• In electronic conduction, the material itself doesn’t undergo any chemical changes. However, in ionic conduction, the movement of ions can sometimes lead to chemical reactions at the electrodes.

Reaction to Temperature

• Electronic conductivity typically increases with increasing temperature. However, ionic conductivity can be more complex. It may increase with temperature due to increased ion mobility, but it can also be affected by changes in the solvent or solution properties.

Conclusion

Both electronic and ionic conduction involve the movement of charged particles under an electric field. Electronic conduction uses free electrons, while ionic conduction uses ions hopping through vacancies in a lattice. This is the basic difference between electronic and ionic conduction.

FAQ: Electronic and Ionic Conduction

1. What are examples of electronic conduction?

Electronic conduction can be seen in my applications in day today life. Power grids rely on electron conduction through conducting wires to carry electricity from generation plants to homes, businesses, and industries. Electronic devices we use such as smart phones, computers, TVs and game consoles also work through electronic conduction.

2. What is the mechanism of ionic conduction?

The most common mechanism of ionic conduction is vacancy hopping. When a voltage is applied, ions near a vacancy can jump into it, creating a new vacancy in the original position. This movement of vacancies allows for the overall transport of ions in a specific direction, resulting in current flow.

3. Are Ionics conductive?

The conductivity of ionic compounds depends on their state. Solid ionic compounds are generally not conductive. When melted, ionic compounds become conductive. Ionic compounds dissolved in water (aqueous solution) are also conductive.

4. What are the examples of ionic conduction?

Ionic conduction is seen in rechargeable batteries like Li-ion batteries, fuel cells, solid-state electrolytes, and high-temperature superconductors.

Reference:

1. “Ionic Conduction.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
2. “Electronic Conductivity.” Science Direct.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Conduction E vs DOS” By Tem5psu – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia