Chemically Inert Hydrocarbon-Based Slurries for Rapid Laser Sintering of Thin Proton-Conducting Ceramics. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ishii, Akihiro; Huang, Hua; Meng, Yuqing; Mu, Shenglong; Gao, Jun; Lei, Jincheng; Peng, Fei; Xiao, Hai; Tong, Jianhua; Brinkman, Kyle S.
• Is Part Of: Materials research bulletin. Volume 143(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Ceramic -- Wet processing -- Laser sintering -- Proton conductor -- Fuel cell; Materials -- Periodicals; Crystal growth -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Cristaux -- Croissance -- Périodiques; Crystal growth; Materials; Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.materresbull.2021.111446
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-5408

Abstract

Highlights: Rapid laser sintering of BaZrO3 –BaCeO3 -based proton-conductors was developed. Chemically inert slurries of hexadecane, polybutene, and saturated fatty acid were used. 97%-dense BaCe0.7 Zr0.1 Y0.07 Sm0.13 O3- δ made in three seconds by laser sintering. Laster sintered samples showed proton conductivity on the order of 10 −4 Scm −1 at 600 °C. Abstract: The process of rapid laser sintering of thin BaZrO3 –BaCeO3 -based proton-conducting electrolytes is being developed for easy fabrication of ceramic fuel cells and electrolyzers. However, cracks on the electrolytes caused by volume change due to chemical reactions between the basic ceramic constituents and the polar solvents during wet processing has been problematic. In order to address this issue, the use of chemically inert saturated-hydrocarbon-based slurries comprised of hexadecane, polybutene, and a long-chain saturated fatty acid were investigated in this work. By optimizing slurry composition and laser sintering conditions, a 20 mm long, 4 mm wide, 13.5-μm-thick and 97%-dense BaCe0.7 Zr0.1 Y0.07 Sm0.13 O3-d membrane showing proton conductivity on the order of 10 −4 Scm −1 at 600 °C was successfully prepared in just three seconds by laser sintering. The use of saturated-hydrocarbon-based slurries will facilitate wet processing and rapid laser sintering of proton-conducting ceramic electrolytes. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract