Na-beta batteries are an attractive technology for electrical energy storage for future grids. However, additional improvements are needed in performance and cost for consideration in wide-spread use. Minimizing resistivity of the cell through reduction of thickness of the dense electrolyte can be accomplished by use of a duplex structure with a 50 to 100µm dense electrolyte and a porous support to maintain flexural strength. It is shown that sintering at temperatures between 1500C and 1550C for 2 hours prior to conversion of a-Al2O3 to ß”-Al2O3 result in fine grained microstructures with the highest flexural strength after conversion. Increasing thickness of the dense electrolyte from 50 to 100µm has a small effect on flexural strength, while application of load such that the dense electrolyte is in tension instead of compression has a major effect on strength for samples where the electrolyte is well-sintered.
Revised: May 25, 2015 |
Published: March 28, 2015
Citation
Canfield N.L., J.Y. Kim, J.F. Bonnett, R.L. Pearson, V.L. Sprenkle, and K. Jung. 2015.Effects of Fabrication Conditions on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Duplex ß”-Al2O3 Solid Electrolyte.Materials Science and Engineering B: Advanced Functional Solid-state Materials 197.PNNL-ACT-SA-10031.doi:10.1016/j.mseb.2015.03.009