Non-destructive characterization of superionic conductor: lithium nitride

Higher order elastic constants have been calculated in hexagonally structured superionic conductor Li3N at room temperature using the interaction potential model. The temperature variation of the ultrasonic velocities was evaluated along different angles with z axis (unique axis) of the crystal, using the second order elastic constants. The ultrasonic velocity decreased with the temperature along a particular orientation of the unique axis. Temperature variation of the thermal relaxation time and Debye average velocities was also calculated along the same orientation. The temperature dependency of ultrasonic properties was discussed in correlation with elastic, thermal and electrical properties. It has been found that the thermal conductivity is the main contributor to the behavior of ultrasonic attenuation as a function of temperature and the cause responsible for attenuation is phonon-phonon interaction. The mechanical properties of Li3N at low temperature are better than at high temperature because at low temperature it has low ultrasonic attenuation. Superionic conductor lithium nitride has many industrial applications, such as those used in portable electronic devices.