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At least 379 records · Page 21

Ceramic High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filter Research and Development at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Ceramic high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter development program began at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) over 20 years ago. Historical incidents motivated current safety systems at nuclear facilities. A ceramic filter that can survive a fire can provide robust, passive safety protection. Research has been conducted to improve the safety of nuclear facilities and to reduce operational and lifecycle costs, through ceramic filter technology that can survive fire conditions. Here, the research focused on applications in both new facilities as well as meeting operational requirements necessary to retrofit filters into existing DOE facilities. The research has developed multiple filter technologies spanning traditional HEPA filter materials to advanced manufacturing technologies (e.g., electrospinning, additive manufacturing, etc.). This communication will present highlights of selected development efforts for ceramic HEPA filter research, current state-of-the-art for ceramic filters, and future needs including technical, regulatory, and commercial efforts.

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS↗

Additive Manufacturing of a Steel–Ceramic Multi-Material by Selective Laser Melting

Most techniques employed for powder bed additive manufacturing (AM) only can handle a single material. However, additional functionality of the structures built, e.g., local insulation, is desirable for more sophisticated applications. In the present work, a multi-material process allowing for realization of a ceramic coating on a steel substrate and a novel sandwich system are introduced. Both were manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM). As a first step, the microstructure of a bulk zirconia–alumina ceramic, directly manufactured by SLM, was examined and its tensile strength determined. Afterwards, the ceramic was manufactured directly on the as-built surface of a tool steel processed by SLM. For this compound, the adhesive strength was determined. Finally, an open porous structure, made of the same tool steel, was built on top of the ceramic layer. The results clearly prove that the SLM process can be used for direct manufacturing of a multi-material sandwich structure made from metal and ceramic, providing an important step towards complex structures functionalized for electric insulation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Thermal Conductivity and Expansion Coefficient of (Sm{sub 1−x}Yb{sub x}){sub 2}Ce{sub 2}O{sub 7} Ceramics for Thermal Barrier Coatings

In the current paper, the (Sm{sub 1−x}Yb{sub x}){sub 2}Ce{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics were prepared via sol–gel and high-temperature solid reaction methods. The phase composition, microstructure, thermal conductivity, and expansion coefficient were investigated. Results indicate that pure (Sm{sub 1−x}Yb{sub x}){sub 2}Ce{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics with single defect-fluorite structure are synthesized successfully. Owing to the phonon scattering caused by Yb addition, the thermal conductivity of (Sm{sub 1−x}Yb{sub x}){sub 2}Ce{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics decreases with increasing Yb{sub 2}O{sub 3} content at identical temperatures, which is lower than that of YSZ. Due to the relatively low ionic radius of Yb{sup 3+} ions, the addition of Yb{sub 2}O{sub 3} decreases the thermal expansion coefficient of (Sm{sub 1−x}Yb{sub x}){sub 2}Ce{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics, which is higher than that of 8YSZ. The synthesized (Sm{sub 1−x}Yb{sub x}){sub 2}Ce{sub 2}O{sub 7} ceramics can be explored as candidate materials for thermal barrier coatings.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

DLC-coating Application to Improve the Durability of Ceramic Tools

The work is devoted to the experimental study of the efficiency of Arc-PVD and PACVD industrial technologies for the application of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on ceramic cutting plates based on Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} + TiC to increase the wear resistance of the tool when turning of bearing hardened steel 102Cr6. The authors conducted a set of studies and tests as the study of the structure of DLC coatings (correlation between sp{sup 3} and sp{sup 2} bonds) using photoelectron spectroscopy; evaluation of roughness, microhardness and adhesive bond strength of DLC coatings with the ceramic base; study of coated ceramics wear under fretting conditions; and experimental evaluation of the effect of DLC coatings on the resistance of ceramic plates during turning of hardened steel. The durability of ceramic plates was increased by 1.6 times by applying PACVD DLC coatings. A slightly smaller effect in 1.4 times was achieved by applying DLC coatings using Arc-PVD technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Correlation between Antimicrobial Activity and Bioactivity of Na-Mica and Na-Mica/Fluorapatite Glass and Glass-Ceramics and Their Corrosion Protection of Titanium in Simulated Body Fluid

The improvement in bioactivity of titanium (Ti) surface was achieved via coating it with Na-mica and Na-mica/fluorapatite glass and glass-ceramic using the low-cost electrophoretic deposition technique. Two compositions from pure Na-mica (M) and 80 Na-mica/20 fluorapatite glasses (MF) were prepared in the system SiO{sub 2}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}-MgO-MgF{sub 2}-Na{sub 2}O-B{sub 2}O{sub 3} using melting–quenching technique. Characterization of the as-prepared glasses and their counterpart glass-ceramics was studied using differential thermal analysis (DTA), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform-IR (FTIR) spectroscopy techniques. The bioactivity behavior was proved by studying the XRD, FTIR and SEM after immersing both glass and glass-ceramic samples in simulated body fluid (SBF). Both M and MF glasses and glass-ceramics showed high microhardness measurements and good antibacterial behavior. In vitro biodegradation was studied by using electrochemical corrosion behavior of the prepared glass- and glass-ceramic-coated Ti in SBF. The prepared coated Ti showed good corrosion resistance in SBF at 37 °C using potentiodynamic polarization technique, and the impedance data fitting explained the structure of the coating and the adsorption of SBF ions on the Ti surface. The MFGC provides the best corrosion-resistant coating, especially after sintering it.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Brazing ZrO{sub 2} ceramic to Ti–6Al–4V alloy using NiCrSiB amorphous filler foil: Interfacial microstructure and joint properties

Reliable brazing of ZrO{sub 2} ceramic and Ti–6Al–4V alloy was achieved using NiCrSiB amorphous filler foil. The interfacial microstructure of ZrO{sub 2}/Ti–6Al–4V joints was characterized by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer and micro-focused X-ray diffractometer. The effects of brazing temperature on the interfacial microstructure and joining properties of brazed joints were investigated in detail. Active Ti of Ti–6Al–4V alloy dissolved into molten filler metal and reacted with ZrO{sub 2} ceramic to form a continuous TiO reaction layer, which played an important role in brazing. Various reaction phases including Ti{sub 2}Ni, Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3} and β-Ti were formed in brazed joints. With an increasing of brazing temperature, the TiO layer thickened gradually while the Ti{sub 2}Ni amount reduced. Shear test indicated that brazed joints tend to fracture at the interface between ZrO{sub 2} ceramic and brazing seam or Ti{sub 2}Ni intermetallic layer. The maximum average shear strength reached 284.6 MPa when brazed at 1025 °C for 10 min. - Graphical Abstract: Interfacial microstructure of ZrO{sub 2}/TC4 joint brazed using NiCrSiB amorphous filler foil was: ZrO{sub 2}/TiO/Ti{sub 2}Ni + β-Ti + Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3}/β-Ti/Widmanstätten structure/TC4. - Highlights: • Brazing of ZrO{sub 2} ceramic and Ti-6Al-4V alloy was achieved. • Interfacial microstructure was TiO/Ti{sub 2}Ni + β + Ti{sub 5}Si{sub 3}/β/Widmanstätten structure. • The formation of TiO produced the darkening effect of ZrO{sub 2} ceramic. • The highest joining strength of 284.6MPa was obtained.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A complex approach to assessing porous structure of structured ceramics obtained by SPS technique

Highlights: • A complex approach to microstructural analysis of nanostructured SPS ceramics was presented. • A bunch of gas, intrusion and microscopic methods were applied for open/closed porosity determination in nanoceramics. • Kinetic TPR analysis for structural changes in nanoceramic was carried out. • 3D pore visualization for nanoceramics was provided via SEM/FIB tomography • Porosity calculations were performed via BET, BJH, t-plot, Washburn equation, FEI Avizo 9.1 software results. - Abstract: Spark plasma sintering (SPS) is a highly prospective technology providing rapid consolidation of nano-disperse compositions into structured ceramics with complex structural organization. Characterizing pore structure of such systems remains a challenge due to different types, size and shape of the pores as well as structural defects occurring in the material, thus requiring special methods to quantify certain porosity type. The paper presents a complex approach to studying structure of SPS hematite-based structured ceramics. The method involves a number of gas, intrusion and electron microscopy probing techniques to characterize open and closed pores in the ceramics bulk. Low temperature nitrogen sorption has been implemented to estimate open micro- and mesoporosity in the size range 0.7–50 nm using BET, BJH and t-plot methods to process experimental data. Additionally, structural peculiarities of consolidated structured ceramics have been studied using temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) with the kinetic analysis of the results being carried out. Volume of macropores sized above 50 nm has been measured with mercury intrusion. Closed pores and structural defects have been quantified with SEM and FIB/SEM tomography. By comparing experimental and estimated results we have shown that addressing all porosity types provides a highly precise structural characterization of the material.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗

Microstructure and electrical properties in W/Nb co-doped Aurivillius phase Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12} piezoelectric ceramics

Highlights: • W/Nb codoped BIT ceramics were prepared by the mixed oxides route. • High nd{sup 0} electronic configuration of W/Nb reduces the lattice distortion and T{sub C}. • Oxygen vacancy is responsible for dielectric relaxation and DC conduction process. • W/Nb additives significantly enhanced the piezoelectric coefficient d{sub 33} value. • BWNb-10 ceramics possessed large remnant polarization and a wide sintering window. - Abstract: Aurivillius-type Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3-x}W{sub x/2}Nb{sub x/2}O{sub 12} ceramics were prepared by a conventional solid-state sintering method. The XRD patterns demonstrated that all compositions were a single three layered crystalline structure, involving a reduction of lattice distortion with an increase in W/Nb doping level. The electrical properties including dielectric, electrical conduction and piezoelectric properties were tailored by W/Nb additives. The Curie-temperature decreased, whereas the electrical resistivity drastically increased with introduction of W/Nb donor dopants. As a result, a high electric field can be applied during the poling process. The Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 2.9}W{sub 0.05}Nb{sub 0.05}O{sub 12} ceramics exhibited optimum piezoelectric coefficient (d{sub 33} ∼22.8 pC/N), large remnant polarization (2P{sub r} ∼26.8 μC/cm{sup 2} @ 200 °C) together with a high Curie temperature (T{sub C} ∼635 °C). Furthermore, this composition possessed a wide sintering window with outstanding piezoelectric properties. These parameters indicate that Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 2.9}W{sub 0.05}Nb{sub 0.05}O{sub 12}-based ceramic is a promising candidate for high temperature piezoelectric applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Electrical properties and phase transition of Ba(Zr{sub 0.05}Ti{sub 0.95}){sub 1−x}(Fe{sub 0.5}Ta{sub 0.5}){sub x}O{sub 3} ceramics

Highlights: • Properties of of Ba(Zr{sub 0.05}Ti{sub 0.95}){sub 1−x}(Fe{sub 0.5}Ta{sub 0.5}){sub x}O{sub 3} ceramics were investigated. • Small amount of dopant produced a large change in dielectric and phase transition. • A phase diagram of Ba(Zr{sub 0.05}Ti{sub 0.95}){sub 1−x}(Fe{sub 0.5}Ta{sub 0.5}){sub x}O{sub 3} ceramics was proposed. • Dielectric tunability increased with increasing x concentration. - Abstract: In this work, properties of Ba(Zr{sub 0.05}Ti{sub 0.95}){sub 1−x}(Fe{sub 0.5}Ta{sub 0.5}){sub x}O{sub 3} ceramics with 0.00≤ x ≤0.07 were investigated. The ceramics were fabricated by a solid state reaction technique. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that all samples exhibited single phase perovskite. Examination of the dielectric spectra revealed that the Fe and Ta additives promoted a diffuse phase transition, and the two phase transition temperatures, as observed in the dielectric curve of pure Ba(Zr{sub 0.05}Ti{sub 0.95})O{sub 3}, merged into a single phase transition temperature for higher x concentrations. The transformation was confirmed by ferroelectric measurements. In addition, the doped ceramics exhibited high relative dielectric tunability, especially for higher x concentration samples.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of Nb{sup 5+} doped BCZT ceramics

Highlights: • Average grain size of BCZT ceramic decreased with the increasing Nb{sup 5+} doping. • Dielectric constant value is enhanced with Nb{sup 5+} doping. • Dielectric loss of BCZT − x Nb{sup 5+} ceramics was less than 0.03 at room temperature (1 kHz). • Piezoelectric coefficient decreased with the increasing Nb{sup 5+} doping. • The relaxation behavior is enhanced with the doping of Nb{sup 5+}. - Abstract: This work investigated the electrical properties of Nb{sup 5+} (0.0–1.0 mol%) doped with Ba{sub 0.90}Ca{sub 0.10}Zr{sub 0.10}Ti{sub 0.90}O{sub 3} while adding 1 mol% of Ba{sub 0.90}Ca{sub 0.10}Zr{sub 0.10}Ti{sub 0.90}O{sub 3} seeds. The mixed powder was ball milled for 24 h, calcined and sintered at 1200 °C for 2 h and 1450 °C for 4 h, respectively. The XRD patterns of the ceramic samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction. The electrical properties of ceramics were measured and the results indicated that all samples show a pure perovskite phase with no secondary phase. Density and average grain size values were in the range of 5.60–5.71 g/cm{sup 3} and 12.62–1.86 μm, respectively. The highest dielectric constant, ϵ{sub r} at room temperature (1 kHz) was 4636 found at 1.0 mol% Nb. The dielectric loss, tan δ was less than 0.03 for all samples at room temperature (1 kHz). Other electrical properties, P{sub r}, d{sub 33} and k{sub p} values were decreased with Nb doped relates to the decreasing grain size in BCZT ceramics. Moreover, the degrees of phase transition diffuseness and relaxation behavior were observed in the higher Nb doping.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effect of rare earth Ce on the far infrared radiation property of iron ore tailings ceramics

Highlights: • Detailed process proposed for preparation of iron ore tailings ceramics. • Replace natural minerals with iron ore tailings as raw materials for preparing functional ceramics. • Impact mechanism of Ce on far infrared ceramics, as well as its optimum addition amounts can be obtained. • Propose a new perspective on considering the mechanism of far infrared radiation. - Abstract: A kind of far infrared radiation ceramics was prepared by using iron ore tailings, CaCO{sub 3} and SiO{sub 2} as main raw materials, and Ce as additive. The result of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that the sample exhibits excellent radiation value of 0.914 when doping 7 wt.% Ce. Ce{sup 4+} dissolved into iron diopside and formed interstitial solid solution with it sintered at 1150 °C. The oxidation of Fe{sup 2+} to Fe{sup 3+} caused by Ce{sup 4+} led to a decrease of crystallite sizes and enhancement of Mg–O and Fe–O vibration in iron diopside, which consequently improved the far infrared radiation properties of iron ore tailings ceramics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Effect of La-substitution on the structure, dielectric and ferroelectric properties of Nb modified SrBi{sub 8}Ti{sub 7}O{sub 27} ceramics

Graphical abstract: The ferroelectric properties of Nb modified Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12}–SrBi{sub 4}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 15} intergrowth ceramics increases significantly when Bi is substituted by La. - Highlights: • La{sup 3+} substitution for Bi{sup 3+} in Nb doped Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12}–SrBi{sub 4}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 15} ferroelectrics is reported. • The orthorhombic distortion of the structure decreased with the increasing La. • La acts as a grain growth inhibitor in the ceramics. • The remnant polarization of the ferroelectrics increased significantly with La substitution. - Abstract: The effect of La substitution on the electrical properties of SrLa{sub x}Bi{sub 8−x}Ti{sub 6.88}Nb{sub 0}.{sub 12}O{sub 27} intergrowth Aurivillius phase ferroelectric ceramic was investigated. La content ‘x’ was ranging from 0.0 to 1.0 in a step of 0.2. The ceramic phase was synthesized through a modified oxalate route. X-ray diffraction was used to identify the phase and to investigate the change in lattice parameter and microstrain with the substitution. La-substitution does not affect the crystal structure of the intergrowth. Microstructural investigation revealed that the grain size of the ceramic decreases with La addition. The lattice parameters and orthorhombicity of intergrowth structure were found to decrease with increasing La substitution. The temperature dependence of dielectric behavior was investigated in the temperature range 30–700 °C and the frequency of 100 kHz. The remnant polarization 2P{sub r} increased and the Curie temperature T{sub c} decreased with the increase in the La substitution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Controllable synthesis and tunable luminescence of glass ceramic containing Mn{sup 2+}:ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} and Pr{sup 3+}:YF{sub 3} nano-crystals

Highlights: • Glass ceramic containing ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} and YF{sub 3} nano-crystals is fabricated. • Mn{sup 2+} and Pr{sup 3+} are selectively incorporated into ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} and YF{sub 3}, respectively. • The luminescence color can be tuned by adjusting the excitation wavelength. - Abstract: Glass ceramic containing spinel ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4}:Mn{sup 2+} and orthorhombic YF{sub 3}:Pr{sup 3+} nano-crystals has been successfully prepared by a melt-quenching technique. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that two nano-phases, i.e. ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} and YF{sub 3}, were homogeneously distributed among the glass matrix. Importantly, the selective incorporation of Pr{sup 3+} ions into the Y{sup 3+} nine-fold coordinated sites of YF{sub 3} and the segregation of Mn{sup 2+} dopants in the Zn{sup 2+} tetrahedral sites of ZnAl{sub 2}O{sub 4} were confirmed based on the excitation/emission spectra and the crystal field calculation. Under blue light excitation, both Pr{sup 3+} and Mn{sup 2+} in the glass ceramic can be simultaneously excited, and emit red and green luminescence, respectively, owing to the suppression of energy transfer between them. The luminescence color of the obtained glass ceramic can be easily tuned by adjusting the excitation wavelength. These results indicate the potential application of the glass ceramic as converting phosphor to generate white-light after coupling with the blue LED chip.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Crystal structure and dielectric properties of a new Na2O-Nd2O3-CeO2 ceramic system at microwave frequencies

Highlights: • A large amount of Na evaporation can make τ{sub f} more negative in present ceramics. • Na-excess evaporation results in the formation of Ce{sub 1-x}Nd{sub x}O{sub 2-x/2} solid solution. • Ce{sub 1-x}Nd{sub x}O{sub 2-x/2} (x = 0.25 and 0.5) solid solutions belong to the same fluorite-type. - Abstract: Na{sub 2}O-Nd{sub 2}O{sub 3}-CeO{sub 2} ceramic systems of the form Na{sub 3x−1}Nd{sub 1−x}CeO{sub 3} (x = 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6) were prepared via a solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that the samples with x = 0.4, 0.6 and those with x = 0.5 formed Nd{sub 0.25}Ce{sub 0.75}O{sub 1.875} and Nd{sub 0.5}Ce{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} solid solutions, respectively, which resulted from a large degree of Na{sup +} ion evaporation. Both the Nd{sub 0.25}Ce{sub 0.75}O{sub 1.875} and Nd{sub 0.5}Ce{sub 0.5}O{sub 1.75} phases belonged to the same cubic structure with an Fm-3m (225) space group. Additionally, the microstructures, sintering behaviors, and microwave dielectric properties were considered to be strongly related to the Na content in the Na{sub 3x−1}Nd{sub 1−x}CeO{sub 3} ceramics. A relatively large degree of Na{sup +} ion evaporation could increase the negative temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τ{sub f}) for these ceramic systems. Moreover, after sintering at 1380 °C for 2 h, the x = 0.6 specimen possessed a low permittivity (ε{sub r}) of approximately 9.13, a moderate quality factor (Q × f) of approximately 23,800 GHz (at 9.14 GHz) and a negative τ{sub f} value of approximately −61.7 ppm/°C. As a result, it could be a promising microwave dielectric material for achieving a near-zero τ{sub f} value by solidifying one or more microwave dielectric ceramics with a high positive τ{sub f} value.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Effect of sintering temperature on structural, magnetic and electrical transport properties of La0.67Ca0.33MnO3 ceramics prepared by Plasma Activated Sintering

Highlights: • La{sub 0.67}Ca{sub 0.33}MnO{sub 3} were prepared by using Plasma Activated Sintering technology. • Detailed studies of sintering temperature effect on structural, magnetic and electrical transport behaviors were investigated. • The observed behaviors have been explained by oxygen vacancy effect in combination with grain size effect. - Abstract: La{sub 0.67}Ca{sub 0.33}MnO{sub 3} (LCMO) ceramics were prepared by Plasma Activated Sintering (PAS). The effect of sintering temperature on structural, magnetic and electrical transport properties of the LCMO ceramics were investigated. XRD and SEM characterizations of the LCMO ceramics indicated that all samples exhibited single orthorhombic phase. Also, through PAS dense LCMO ceramics were obtained. Certain interesting phenomena were observed from the PAS sintering temperature effect on the magnetic and transport behaviors of LCMO ceramics, which were significantly different from traditional sintering methods The magnetization decreased and the resistivity increased as the sintering temperature increased, whereas the T{sub C} and T{sub IM} shifted towards the lower temperature side. The conduction mechanism of all samples was electron-magnon scattering process in the ferromagnetic low-temperature region, while the paramagnetic high-temperature region mechanism was explained with the variable range hopping (VRH) model. All these behaviors were explained through the oxygen vacancy effect in combination with the grain size effect.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A constitutive model for glass–ceramic materials

Glass–ceramics have received recent attention for use in glass–ceramic to metal hermetic seals. Due to their heterogeneous microstructure, these materials exhibit a number of advantageous responses over conventional glass based seals. Key amongst them is the possibility of a controllable thermal strain response and apparent coefficient of thermal expansion which may be used to minimize thermally induced residual stresses for aforementioned seals. Furthermore, these behaviors result from an inorganic glass matrix and variety of crystalline ceramic phases including silica polymorph(s) that may undergo reversible solid-to-solid transformations with associated inelastic strain. Correspondingly, these materials exhibit complex thermomechanical responses associated with multiple inelastic mechanisms (viscoelasticity and phase transformation). While modeling these behaviors is essential for developing and analyzing the corresponding applications, no such model exists. Therefore, in this work a three-dimensional continuum constitutive model for glass–ceramic materials combining these various inelastic mechanisms is developed via an internal state variable approach. A corresponding fully implicit three dimensional numerical formulation is also proposed and implemented. The model is used to simulate existing experiments and validate the proposed formalism. As an example, the simple seal problem of a glass–ceramic seal inside a concentric metal shell is explored. Finally, the impact of the cooling rates, viscoelastic shift factors, and inelastic strain on final residual stress state are all investigated and the differing contributions highlighted.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Vertically Aligned and Continuous Nanoscale Ceramic–Polymer Interfaces in Composite Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Enhanced Ionic Conductivity

Among all solid electrolytes, composite solid polymer electrolytes, comprised of polymer matrix and ceramic fillers, garner great interest due to the enhancement of ionic conductivity and mechanical properties derived from ceramic–polymer interactions. Here, we report a composite electrolyte with densely packed, vertically aligned, and continuous nanoscale ceramic–polymer interfaces, using surface-modified anodized aluminum oxide as the ceramic scaffold and poly(ethylene oxide) as the polymer matrix. The fast Li + transport along the ceramic–polymer interfaces was proven experimentally for the first time, and an interfacial ionic conductivity higher than 10 –3 S/cm at 0 °C was predicted. The presented composite solid electrolyte achieved an ionic conductivity as high as 5.82 × 10 –4 S/cm at the electrode level. In conclusion, the vertically aligned interfacial structure in the composite electrolytes enables the viable application of the composite solid electrolyte with superior ionic conductivity and high hardness, allowing Li–Li cells to be cycled at a small polarization without Li dendrite penetration.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Growth and optical properties of partially transparent Eu doped CaF{sub 2} ceramic

Partially transparent ceramic of 2 at.% Eu doped CaF{sub 2} have been grown preferentially towards [111] direction. For this purpose, Eu doped CaF{sub 2} nanoparticles (size∼12 nm) obtained by a low temperature solution growth method has been pressed at 1000°C under vacuum. The preferentially grown ceramic shows 15% transparency within the visible range of spectrum. As confirmed by the X-ray diffraction result, the hot pressed ceramic exhibits reduced lattice volume than the nanopowder. It indicates Eu{sup 3+} as the dominant substituting ions at the Ca{sup 2+} sites of CaF{sub 2} lattice in the hot pressed ceramic material. It is corroborated by the photoluminescence results of hot pressed ceramic which shows strong red emission corresponding to Eu{sup 3+} sites. However, photoluminescence of nanopowder exhibits intense peak in the blue region of the spectrum which is characteristics of Eu2+ sites.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗