The conductivity of oxide cathodes. Part 10: Spontaneous generation of negative ions

The experimental work described here proves that a barium-strontium-oxide matrix is thermally unstable at 1020°K and continuously generates negative ions of oxygen in its hollow pore system. The barium-oxide component of the matrix is essentially stable and the strontium-oxide component is the oxygen-ion generator. The action is a fundamental one and proceeds at constant and unalterable rate. Factors determining the equilibrium concentration of free oxygen ions in the pores are examined and described. One conclusion reached is that donor concentration of a thermally-activated barium-strontium-oxide matrix is almost wholly strontium metal.