Electrical properties of the zeolite composites prepared by using zeolite and copper powders

We present the electrical characterization of a zeolite plate and its composites prepared by using zeolite and copper powders. The experimentally obtained electronic and ionic conductivities and their interactions are discussed. It is established that electrical properties of the powder of natural zeolite which included 10% of the metallic Cu powder is fundamentally changed. However, the non-steady state decaying current in a pure zeolite powder is replaced with the steady state current, strongly dependent on the gas pressure. It is assumed that there is the gas discharge ignition in the nanopores of zeolite, initiated by electrons emission from Cu metal particles.

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► Porous zeolite composites were prepared by using zeolite and copper powders.
► The electronic and ionic conductivities of zeolite composites and their interactions were studied.
► Addition of a Cu powder to a zeolite powder leads to change of the mechanism of conductivity.
► Small size and indefinite form of Cu particles provide autoelectronic emission from their surface.
► Our results can be used for the development of low-power microdischarge devices.