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At least 433 records · Page 24
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2022

On-Demand Designing of Cathode Internal Surface Architecture for Dramatic Enhancement of SOFC Performance and Durability

This project is aimed to design and modify the internal surfaces of porous composite cathode from currently commercially viable Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs), using additive manufacturing process of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD). The material systems being investigated are commercial composite electrodes complex three-dimensional topographies. In term of the chemistry of the ALD layer applied on the internal surface of the porous cathode, this project has employed commercially relevant electrolyte, electrocatalyst and noble metal materials set. Such materials are fully compatible with the commercial fuel cells, and this project has developed special nanostructure on the surface of the commercial composite cathodes. The formation of the designed nanoarchitecture on the surface of SOFC cathode has been achieved through precise control of ALD parameters and their effect on overall cell performance and resultant electrochemical reaction mechanism of cathodes has been investigated through full cell electrochemical performance testing and nanostructure characterization by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Under the support of this award, following has been achieved: (1). For cathode materials in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), such as perovskite mixed conductor La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3-x (LSCF), cation surface segregation and consequently losing conductivity and active sites for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are problematic. To mitigate the cation segregation and enhance SOFC durability, further decorating the internal backbone surface using the desired electrocatalysts could be a promoting approach. Commonly, the cation segregation such as Sr is very volatile, so the effective surface decoration is ideally conformal. Nevertheless, the conformal surface coating would inevitably alter the ORR pathways that initially take place on the surface of the backbone. To reveal the impact of the conformal coating on both the catalytic activity and the conductivity of the cathode, the unary electrocatalyst of Pt or CoO x , was applied to the LSCF/SDC composite electrode of inherently functional SOFCs, respectively. Both ALD coating layers evolve strong interaction with the LSCF composite cathode. Upon operations, the Pt coating layer remains conformal on LSCF grain surfaces but turns into discrete particles on SDC grain surfaces. Meanwhile, CoO x conformal coating grows to be the discrete nanograins on both the LSCF and SDC grains. ALD coating of the cathode alone reduces the ohmic resistance up to 28 % for the entire cells. The increased conductivity induced by the ALD coating of Pt or CoO x is ascribed to different mechanisms. For the inherent functional SOFCs, the present study presents a novel and feasible approach to apply a conformal, dense coating layer on the surface of a mixed conductor, simultaneously increasing the conductivity and durability of the SOFC cathode. (2). High resistance of the oxygen electrode still significantly hinders the state-of-the-art Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs). In particular, for an oxygen electrode consisting of mixed electronic and ionic conductors, such as perovskite lanthanum strontium cobalt ferrite (LSCF), it deteriorates due to its low chemical stability of the grain surface. Such degradation is often associated with the segregation of cations. To prevent the cation surface segregation and its resultant perovskite phase decomposition, we demonstrate a conformal ultra-thin (7-10 nm) surface heterogeneous coating layer consisting of subjacent discrete Pt nanoparticles capped with a superjacent fully dense conformal CoO x layer. The performance studies indicate the ALD coating reduces the cell series resistance by up to 40 %. The conformal CoO x layer consists of randomly orientated but single-layered nanograins, with high-density intergranular and surface grain boundaries serving as the electrochemical reaction sites and facilitating mass transport. The conformal coating layer appears to have successfully suppressed the Sr outward diffusion and confined the Sr enriched layer to a ~ 2 nm interface perovskite phase between the coating layer and the LSCF grain surface. Moreover, this ultra-thin Sr enriched perovskite layer presumably possesses high oxygen vacancy and high ionic conductivity and further imposes tensile strain to the LSCF grain surfaces. With the combination of a conformal CoO x nanoionics, Sr enriched layer, and its strained interface, the ALD coating induced surface layer is estimated to have a conductivity of ~ 1.27x10 4 S/cm, which is over two orders magnitude of that from LSCF at 750 ºC.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Advanced PGM-free Cathode Engineering for High Power Density and Durability

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are among the most promising technologies for future electric vehicles by using clean H2 with much-improved energy conversion efficiency, longer range, and rapid refueling. However, due to a large amount of platinum group metal (PGM) catalyst used in their electrodes, their prohibitively high cost hinders broad commercialization of PEFCs for transportation. Therefore, there is a critical need to develop low-cost, high-performance PGM-free cathode catalysts that have the potential to dramatically transform the economics of PEFC commercialization by reducing catalyst costs by one to two orders of magnitude. However, before PGM-free cathodes become viable, several technical challenges associated with PGM-free cathodes must be addressed, including insufficient activity and stability of the catalysts, as well as severe water flooding and large transport losses in the electrodes. Overcoming those barriers and ultimately meeting the challenging automotive PEFC performance targets was the focus of this comprehensive research and development effort on new PGM-free cathodes. To this end, we assembled a team including leading researchers from universities and industry with different but complementary expertise and capabilities. The project combined three novel and promising approaches: Advanced metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived M-N-C catalysts with a high activity and impressive durability, Novel PGM-free specific cathode architectures and fabrication strategies capable of addressing the substantial flooding and transport resistances in thicker cathodes by introducing engineered hydrophobicity through additives and support layers, and Advanced electrode ionomers with high proton conductivity for low ohmic losses across the electrode and more uniform catalyst utilization. The implementation of these new materials and electrode designs was supported by a suite of advanced experimental and simulation tools that allows us to identify performance and durability bottlenecks, devise solutions, and establish rational material design and synthesis targets. These methods include advanced electrochemical characterization, high-resolution imaging, and multi-scale modeling. In addition, the project team leveraged a broad cross-section of the ElectroCat consortium’s national laboratory facilities and expertise in advancing these materials and design strategies. Finally, the industry partners on the project facilitated the evaluation of scaled-up synthesis and manufacturing in the United States. Over its four-year period, the project made significant year-over-year advances in PGM-free cathode performance and viability. A combination of high activity and highly durable catalysts were developed through novel catalyst synthesis strategies, which met several performance and durability targets. More specifically, a catalyst prepared from MOFs and Fe2O3 nanoparticles with ammonium chloride and chemical vapor deposition treatments yielded a significant advancement in PGM-free cathode durability. Several novel strategies for fabricating cathodes were demonstrated, including those designed to reduce flooding and thickness of the cells for significantly increased volumetric power density. An optimized cathode with high conductivity ionomer and tuned ink processing for hydrophobicity yielded high fuel cell performance with new levels power density and maximum current. The scientific studies and modeling assessment also provided an outlook for future efforts, including a focus on catalysts with an increased density of the highly stable active sites developed in this project.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS1986

Design, construction and long life endurance testing of cathode assemblies for use in microwave high-power transmitting tubes

The cathode life test program sponsored by NASA Lewis Research Center at Watkins-Johnson Company has been in continuous operation since 1972. Its primary objective has been to evaluate the long life capability of barium dispenser cathodes to produce emission current densities of 2 A sq. cm. or more in an operational environment simulating that of a highpower microwave tube. The life test vehicles were equipped with convergent flow electron guns, drift space tubes with solenoid magnets for electron beam confinement and water-cooled depressed collectors. A variety of cathode types has been tested, including GE Tungstate, Litton Impregnated, Philips Type B and M, Semicon types S and M, and Spectra-Mat Type M. Recent emphasis has been on monitoring the performance of Philips Type M cathodes at 2 A sq. cm. and Sprectra-Mat and Semicon Type M cathodes at 4 A sq. cm. These cathodes have been operated at a constant current of 616 mA and a cathode anode voltage on the order of 10 kV. Cathode temperatures were maintained at 1010 C true as measured from black body holes in the backs of the cathodes. This report presents results of the cathode life test program from July l982 through April l986. The results include hours of operation and performance data in the form of normalized emission current density versus temperature curves (Miram plots).

Batra, R.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Microanalysis of extended-test xenon hollow cathodes

Four hollow cathode electron sources were analyzed via boroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x ray analysis, and x ray diffraction analysis. These techniques were used to develop a preliminary understanding of the chemistry of the devices that arise from contamination due to inadequate feed-system integrity and improper insert activation. Two hollow cathodes were operated in an ion thruster simulator at an emission current of 23.0 A for approximately 500 hrs. The two tests differed in propellant-feed systems, discharge power supplies, and activation procedures. Tungsten deposition and barium tungstate formation on the internal cathode surfaces occurred during the first test, which were believed to result from oxygen contamination of the propellant feed-system. Consequently, the test facility was upgraded to reduce contamination, and the test was repeated. The second hollow cathode was found to have experienced significantly less tungsten deposition. A second pair of cathodes examined were the discharge and the neutralizer hollow cathodes used in a life-test of a 30-cm ring-cusp ion thruster at a 5.5 kW power level. The cathodes' test history was documented and the post-test microanalyses are described. The most significant change resulting from the life-test was substantial tungsten deposition on the internal cathode surfaces, as well as removal of material from the insert surface. In addition, barium tungstate and molybdate were found on insert surfaces. As a result of the cathode examinations, procedures and approaches were proposed for improved discharge ignition and cathode longevity.

Verhey, Timothy R.↗
DOE OSTI2015

Cathode scraper system and method of using the same for removing uranium

Embodiments include a cathode scraper system and/or method of using the same for removing uranium. The cathode scraper system includes a plurality of cathode assemblies. Each cathode assembly includes a plurality of cathode rods. The cathode scraper system also includes a cathode scraper assembly configured to remove purified uranium deposited on the plurality of cathode rods. The cathode scraper assembly includes a plurality of scrapers arranged in a lattice, and each scraper of the plurality of scrapers is arranged to correspond to a different cathode rod.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2025

Recent Progress in Solid‐State Lithium Batteries through Cathode Microstructure Engineering

A high‐performance cathode is necessary to realize the great potentials of solid‐state batteries such as high energy density and long cycle life. It is also needed to validate electrolyte performance, which is lacking. Currently, cathodes for solid‐state batteries are thinner and have lower cathode active material content than their lithium‐ion battery counterpart, resulting from insufficient conductivity and limiting the battery energy density. This review article provides an overview of recent development in cathode microstructures and their impact on battery properties, including compatibility between cathode and electrolyte, cathode architecture design, interface engineering, correlation between material properties, cathode processing approaches, and performance, as well as the advanced characterization methods used to understand the above correlations . Some perspectives on future development are shared including utilizing in situ and operando characterization tools to better understand dynamic evolution of the cathode/electrolyte interface, adapting artificial intelligence and machine learning to design and optimize cathode structures. The article is aimed to promote research interest on cathode development and advance solid‐state battery technologies.

cathode engineering↗
DOE OSTI2012

Extended reaction zone of La 0.6 Sr 0.4 Co 0.2 Fe 0.8 O 3 cathode for solid oxide fuel cell

The oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a complicated process which involves the interaction of oxygen molecules, electrons, and oxygen ions. Therefore, it can only proceed at locations where gas, electronic conductor, and an oxygen ion conductor meet. Although the extension of the reaction zone beyond the traditional so-called triple-phase-boundary (TPB) is widely accepted for a mixed ionically and electronically conductive cathode, work in this area has yet to reach a consensus on how far the reaction zone can be extended. In this study, anode-supported fuel cells with a variety of LSCF cathode thicknesses were fabricated and tested in two cathode environments, flowing oxygen and flowing air. In flowing oxygen, the cell performance increased with LSCF cathode thickness over the entire range investigated (from 5 to 33 μm). In flowing air, the cell performance also increased with the LSCF cathode thickness from 5 to 13 μm, but then remained almost constant with further increase in cathode thickness. In flowing oxygen, since there was no concentration polarization related to oxygen diffusion, the polarization resistance of oxygen reduction decreased with the LSCF cathode thickness because of the increased number of reaction sites. A linear relationship was established between the reciprocal of the polarization resistance and the cathode thickness, which was explained by a model developed for aqueous gas diffusion electrodes.

30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Crossover Effects in Lithium–Metal Batteries with a Localized High Concentration Electrolyte and High–Nickel Cathodes

While crossover effects, such as transition–metal dissolution, are well–understood in lithium–ion batteries, there is a limited understanding of the effect of crossed–over chemical species in cells with oxide cathodes and lithium–metal anodes. In this work, the effects of cathode–to–anode and anode–to–cathode crossover are explored in cells with a high–nickel cathode, lithium–metal anode, and a localized high–concentration electrolyte (LHCE). Dramatic differences are found among cells; a lithium–metal anode paired with a high–nickel cathode has three times less solid–electrolyte interphase growth than a lithium–metal anode paired with lithium metal. Meanwhile, the cathode paired with lithium metal has 2–3 times higher capacity fade than the same cathode paired with graphite. Decomposition and crossover of the FSI salt is identified as the main source of these changes. The fluorine in the salt is first stripped off at the lithium–metal anode, and the remaining sulfur and nitrogen cross over to the cathode. Although the reduction in fluorine content harms the surface stability of the cathode, the lithium–metal anode benefits from the increased fluorine content. Furthermore, because the lithium–metal anode is typically the bottleneck for cells with thin lithium, crossover is a major factor in the enhanced performance of lithium–metal batteries with LHCE.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Multi-variable mathematical models for the air-cathode microbial fuel cell system

This research adopted the version control system into the model construction for the single chamber air-cathode microbial fuel cell (MFC) system, to understand the interrelation of biological, chemical, and electrochemical reactions. The anodic steady state model was used to consider the chemical species diffusion and electric migration influence to the MFC performance. In the cathodic steady state model, the mass transport and reactions in a multi-layer, abiotic cathode and multi-bacteria cathode biofilm were simulated. Transport of hydroxide was assumed for cathodic pH change. This assumption is an alternative to the typical notion of proton consumption during oxygen reduction to explain elevated cathode pH. The cathodic steady state model provided the power density and polarization curve performance results that can be compared to an experimental MFC system. Another aspect we considered was the relative contributions of platinum catalyst and microbes on the cathode to the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We found simulation results showed that the biocatalyst in a cathode that includes a Pt/C catalyst likely plays a minor role in ORR, contributing up to 8% of the total power calculated by the models.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Toward a high-voltage fast-charging pouch cell with TiO 2 cathode coating and enhanced battery safety

Nickel-rich layered lithium transition metal oxides, LiNi x Co y Mn 1-x-y O 2 , are key cathode materials for high-energy lithium-ion batteries owing to their high specific capacity. However, the commercial deployment of nickel-rich oxides has been hampered by their poor thermostability and insufficient cycle life. In this work full batteries with uncoated and TiO 2 -coated LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 cathodes and graphite anodes are compared in terms of electrochemical performance and safety behavior. The battery using a TiO 2 -coated LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 cathode exhibited better cyclic performance at high cutoff voltage. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis indicated that the TiO 2 -coated LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 cathode gave the battery a more stable charge transfer resistance. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that TiO 2 coating reduced accumulation of the cathode electrolyte interface layer on the particle surface. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry demonstrated that TiO 2 coating markedly enhanced the interface stability of the cathode particle and protected the particle from serious etching by the electrolyte. Accelerating rate calorimetry revealed that the trigger temperature of thermal runaway for the battery using TiO 2 -coated LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 as cathode material was 257 °C, which was higher than that of the battery with the uncoated LiNi 0.5 Co 0.2 Mn 0.3 O 2 cathode (251 °C). In situ X-ray diffraction during heating demonstrated that this enhanced safety can be attributed to the suppressed phase evolution of the coated cathode material.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Structural and chemical evolutions of a magnesium vanadium oxide cathode under electrochemical cycling in magnesium batteries

The design of cathode materials that remain chemically and structurally stable during repetitive ion insertion and extraction poses a significant challenge in developing multivalent batteries. The cycling stability of traditional metal oxide-based cathode is challenged by sluggish diffusion of multivalent cations and parasitic reactivity at interfacial regimes, including the cathode electrolyte interphase layer (CEI). Understanding the reactions at the cathode-electrolyte interface, particularly those induced by non-stoichiometric surface layers, is a crucial design parameter for both cathode materials and electrolytes. Here, in this study, we employed multimodal analysis, including in situ and ex situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to examine the surface reactions and subsequent structural and chemical evolutions of the CEI on high voltage magnesium vanadium oxide (MgV 2 O 4 ) spinel cathode during the Mg 2+ insertion/extraction processes. The results revealed that the presence of non-stoichiometric surface layers in the magnesium vanadium oxide cathode drive the decomposition of bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI - ) anion, leading to the formation of the CEI layer. The CEI layer could inhibit the Mg 2+ ion transfer processes. Accompanying this reactivity-driven degradation, the magnesium vanadium oxide cathode undergoes pulverization, forming clusters of nanosized particles. This process likely improves cycling ability by creating new intercalation sites and shortening the diffusion pathway for the Mg 2+ cations. This study demonstrates that controlling surface stoichiometry and engineering morphological properties are critical design parameters for high performance cathodes for multivalent batteries.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2011

Emission properties of explosive field emission cathodes

The research results of the explosive field emission cathode plasma expansion velocity and the initial emission area in the planar diode configuration with cathodes made of graphite, stainless steel, polymer velvet, carbon coated, and carbon fiber (needle type) cathodes are presented. The experiments have been performed at the electron accelerator LIA-200 (200 kV, 100 ns, and 4 kA). The diode voltage has been varied from 28-225 kV, whereas the current density has been varied from 86-928 A/cm{sup 2} with 100 ns pulse duration. The experimentally obtained electron beam diode perveance has been compared with the 1 dimensional Child-Langmuir- law. It was found that initially only a part of the cathode take part in the emission process. The plasma expands at 1.7-5.2 cm/{mu}s for 4 mm anode-cathode gap for various cathode materials. It was found that the plasma expansion velocity increases with the decrease in the cathode diameter. At the beginning of the accelerating pulse, the entire cathode area participates in the electron emission process only for the multiple needle type carbon fiber cathode.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

Time-and-space resolved comparison of plasma expansion velocities in high-power diodes with velvet cathodes

Time-and-space resolved comparison of the expansion velocities of plasmas in the planar diode with cathodes made of carbon velvet and polymer velvet has been performed. The diode was powered by a 200 kV, 110 ns pulse, and the peak current density was nearly 477 A/cm{sup 2}. A four-channel high speed framing camera (HSFC) was used to observe the formation and subsequent movement of the cathode plasmas. More accurate and valuable information about the two-dimensional (radial and axial) velocity components of the cathode plasmas was also acquired by utilizing the digital image processing methods. Additionally, the perveance model based on the Child-Langmuir law was used to calculate the expansion velocities of the diode plasmas from voltage and current profiles. Results from the two diagnostics were compared. Comparing the average values of the radial and axial velocity components indicated that the former was much larger than the latter during the initial period of the current. It was also found that the radial velocity of the carbon velvet cathode (190 cm/{mu}s) was much larger than that (90 cm/{mu}s) of the polymer velvet cathode. Moreover, the average values of both the radial and axial velocity components of the carbon velvet cathode were typically in the range of 2.5 {+-} 1.5 cm/{mu}s, which were smaller than that of the polymer velvet cathode during the current flattop. These results, together with the comparison of calculated values from the perveance model, indicated that the diode with carbon velvet cathode was more robust as compared with the polymer velvet cathode for the same electron current densities.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2015

Preliminary investigation of an improved metal-dielectric cathode for magnetically insulated transmission line oscillator

In order to explore the cathode with good repetition quality for the magnetically insulated transmission line oscillators, an improved metal-dielectric cathode is proposed and investigated experimentally. The cathode is designed to be step-like shape, and thin copper plated boards are periodically and compactly arrayed on the surface of the cathode base, which ensures the uniformity of the electrons emitted from the cusps of the copper plated boards. According to the numerical simulation results, the step-like shape is beneficial to convert the kinetic energy of the magnetic insulating current partially and enhance the beam-wave interaction efficiency. Finally, a preliminary experiment of an L-band magnetically insulated transmission line oscillator (MILO) with the improved metal-dielectric cathode is carried out. A high power microwave (HPM) with an average power of 1.95 GW is generated from the MILO, with an efficiency of 13.5%. Under the same experiment condition, the output power and main frequency with the presented cathode are almost the same to those with the velvet cathode. Apart from that, metal-dielectric cathode has the merits of small outgassing and long lifetime, and all of these make the improved metal-dielectric cathode significantly promising for the MILO repetition operation.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2013

A perspective on coatings to stabilize high-voltage cathodes: LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 with subnanometer Lipon cycled with LiPF6 electrolyte

High voltage Li-ion cathodes push the limits of stability for both cathode and electrolyte. Here subnanometer coatings of an amorphous thin film electrolyte (Lipon) improved the room temperature and 60 C cycling stability of a LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel cathode when charged to 4.9V with a standard LiPF6 carbonate electrolyte. The cathodes delivered superior C-rate performances up to a 5C discharge, when compared to the uncoated cathodes. Enhanced performance extended for at least 100 cycles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicates that Lipon slows the increase of interface resistance. Thicker 1-3nm Lipon coatings are sufficiently insulating as to block electronic transport to the cathode particles. Thick coatings also slow Mn dissolution. Results suggest that Lipon may act to scavenge impurities or block active sites that promote electrolyte decomposition. While greatly improved by the Lipon coating, this cathode is not sufficiently stable for long cycle life applications. Further work is needed to assess if and what surface coatings will ultimately stabilize the high voltage cathodes. Comments include insight from other studies of Lipon coated cathodes and directions for future research.

Li-ion battery↗
DOE OSTI2011

Measurement of groove features and dimensions of the vertical test cathode and the choke joint of the superconducting electron gun cavity of the Energy Recovery LINAC

A testing program for the superconducting electron gun cavity that has been designed for the Energy Recovery LINAC is being planned. The goal of the testing program is to characterize the RF properties of the gun cavity at superconducting temperatures and, in particular, to study multipacting that is suspected to be occurring in the choke joint of the cavity where the vertical test cathode is inserted. The testing program will seek to understand the nature and cause of this multipacting and attempt to eliminate it, if possible, by supplying sufficient voltage to the cavity. These efforts are motivated by the multipacting issues that have been observed in the processing of the fine-grain niobium gun cavity. This cavity, which is being processed at Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory for Brookhaven, has encountered multipacting at a gradient of approximately 3 MV/m and, to date, has resisted efforts at elimination. Because of this problem, a testing program is being established here in C-AD that will use the large-grain niobium gun cavity that currently resides at Brookhaven and has been used for room-temperature measurements. The large-grain and fine-cavities are identical in every aspect of construction and only differ in niobium grain size. Thus, it is believed that testing and conditioning of the large-grain cavity should yield important insights about the fine-grain cavity. One element of this testing program involves characterizing the physical features of the choke joint of the cavity where the multipacting is believed to be occurring and, in particular the grooves of the joint. The configuration of the cavity and the vertical test cathode is shown in Figure 1. In addition, it is important to characterize the groove of the vertical test cathode. The grooved nature of these two components was specifically designed to prevent multipacting. However, it is suspected that, because of the chemical processing that the fine-grain gun cavity underwent along with the vertical test cathode, the geometry of these grooves was altered, presenting the possibility that multipacting may, in fact, be occurring in this area and contributing to the low gradients that have been observed in the fine-grain cavity. Therefore, the Survey and Alignment group in C-AD engaged in measurements of the cavity joint, shown in Figure 2 and the cathode weldment, shown in Figure 3 for the purpose of characterizing the grooves in both the cavity and the vertical test cathode and comparing the dimensions of the cathode with those of the prints supplied by Advanced Energy Systems (AES), the original designer and manufacturer of both the test cathode and the electron gun cavity, in preparation to have a new one manufactured. The goal was to ensure that the articles as built matched the design prints in preparation for manufacturing a new vertical test cathode. This report describes the data collected by the Survey group in these efforts. The endeavor was challenging for the group given the millimeter-scale dimensions of the grooves and the requirement for high precision.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗
NASA NTRS2006

Characterization of Hollow Cathode Performance and Thermal Behavior

Hollow cathodes are one of the main life-limiting components in ion engines and Hall thrusters. Although state-of-the-art hollow cathodes have demonstrated up to 30,352 hours of operation in ground tests with careful handling, future missions are likely to require longer life, more margin and greater resistance to reactive contaminant gases. Three alternate hollow cathode technologies that exploit different emitter materials or geometries to address some of the limitations of state-of-the-art cathodes are being investigated. Performance measurements of impregnated tungsten-iridium dispenser cathodes at discharge currents of 4 to 15 A demonstrated that they have the same operating range and ion production efficiency as conventional tungsten dispenser cathodes. Temperature measurements indicated that tungsten-iridium cathodes also operate at the same emitter temperatures. They did not exhibit the expected reduction in work function at the current densities tested. Hollow cathodes with lanthanum hexaboride emitters operated over a wide current range, but suffered from lower ion production efficiency at currents below about 12.4 A because of higher insert heating requirements. Differences in operating voltages and ion production rates are explained with a simple model of the effect of cathode parameters on discharge behavior.

ion engines↗
NASA NTRS1993

High Current Cathode Thermal Behavior, Part II: Theory

Cathode erosion is one of the life limiting mechanisms for several classes of electric thrusters. Since cathode erosion is strongly dependent on the cathode temperature, a quantitative understanding of the effects of cathode operation on the cathode temperature is required. The development of a cathode/plasma interaction model for determining the heat loads to the cathode as function of the various free stream plasma parameters is presented. This model is combined with a cathode thermal model in order to provide a complete and integrated picture of high current cathode operation.

cathode erosion cathode temperature high current c↗