The role of the Coulomb interaction between mobile particles in ionic conductors was still under debate. In order to clarify this aspect, Monte Carlo simulations were made of two simple lattice models (counter ion model and random energy model) which contain the Coulomb interaction between positively charged mobile particles, moving on a static disordered energy landscape. It was found that the nature of static disorder played an important role if one wishes to explore the impact of the Coulomb interaction on the microscopic dynamics. This Coulomb-type interaction impedes the dynamics in the random energy model, but enhances dynamics in the counter ion model in the relevant parameter range.

Simple Lattice Models of Ion Conduction - Counter Ion Model versus Random Energy Model. J.Reinisch, A.Heuer: Physical Review B, 2002, 66[6], 064301 (6pp)