Shape Forming of Ceramic Tubes for Electrochemical Reactors by Gel-Casting Method. (2nd June 2015) - Chalkia, Vasiliki
Abstract : Ceramic powders of an oxygen ion conductor such as apatite-type lanthanum silicate La9.83 Si4.5 Fe1.5 O26±δ and a proton conductor such as BaZr0.8 Y0.2 O3±δ where prepared, by solid state chemistry. These single phased materials after powder processing were used in shape-forming by gel-casting into tubes of the range of 5-14 cm length and 0.6-2 cm diameter. Powder properties were verified by XRD, SEM and laser particle size distribution analysis. In addition, rheological measurements were performed in order to report the viscosity of the slurries used for a successful shape-forming casting. Different sintering protocols were applied all leading to high porosity structures suitable for electrode supported electrochemical reactors even after sintering at 1500 o C. The porosity of the produced tubes was evaluated by Archimedes method while the microstructure was studied by SEM.