Influence of AC fields and electrical conduction mechanisms on the flash-onset temperature: Electronic (BiFeO3) vs. ionic conductors (8YSZ)

On the Athermal Origin of Flash Sintering: Separating Field-Induced Effects from Joule Heating Using a Current Ramp Approach

“…Still, certain phenomena cannot be explained merely in terms of Joule heating but rather as a consequence of the interaction between the material and the applied electric field. Frequency response of flashing systems under AC fields [5], electroluminescence [6], enhanced diffusion kinetics [7][8][9] and defect generation and migration [10,11] are some athermal effects detected during FS. In fact, it was hypothesized that a field-assisted mechanism of avalanche and nucleation of Frenkel defects, boosting diffusion rates and electrical conductivity, might be the cause of the flash event [12][13][14].…”