Kinetic aspect of thermionic emission from Li4SiO4 solid electrolyte

The thermionic emission study of Li4SiO4 solid electrolyte was carried out by high-temperature mass spectrometric technique in the temperature range 760-1185 K. Along with own Li+ ions, admired Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+ ions caused by traces of alkali metal compounds were observed, Work functions of ions have been determined in the range 880-1120 K using the Richardson-Dushman's equation to be as follows: 3.25 +/- 0.12 (Na+), 2.7+/-0.3 (K+), 4.2+/-0.7 (Rb+), 3.10+/-0.25 (Cs+) in the range 760-880 K and 2.84+/-0.13 (Li+), 2.24 +/-0.15 (Na+), 2.21+/-0.15 (K+), 2.3+/-0.1 (Rb+), 2.36+/-0.15 eV (Cs+). A kinetic effect accompanied the thermionic emission has been revealed and its theoretical interpretation has been suggested.