Electric polarization and dielectric behaviour in dc electric fields of fused KNO2 in phase II at room temperature

On application of dc electric fields to a sample of KNO₂ (99.9% pure) fused between two heavily nickel plated copper plates the sample does not acquire the potential difference equal to the applied emf even though there is no external potential drop in the circuit. Also a very large capacitance of the order of 3000µF is obtained for this sample which is attributed to interfacial polarization effect. An equivalent circuit is given to explain the dc electrical behaviour of the sample. The idea of solid state battery does not seem to be applicable in the case of fused KNO₂. The large value of the capacitance for dc fields in series with large voltage-dependent resistance is the cause of the slow discharge of the condenser.