Design and synthesis of guest-host nanostructures to enhance ionic conductivity across nanocomposite membranes

Patent · 05 January 2010

OSTI ID:1014082

Hu, Michael Z ^[1]; Kosacki, Igor ^[2]

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1. Knoxville, TN
2. Oak Ridge, TN

An ion conducting membrane has a matrix including an ordered array of hollow channels and a nanocrystalline electrolyte contained within at least some or all of the channels. The channels have opposed open ends, and a channel width of 1000 nanometers or less, preferably 60 nanometers or less, and most preferably 10 nanometers or less. The channels may be aligned perpendicular to the matrix surface, and the length of the channels may be 10 nanometers to 1000 micrometers. The electrolyte has grain sizes of 100 nanometers or less, and preferably grain sizes of 1 to 50 nanometers. The electrolyte may include grains with a part of the grain boundaries aligned with inner walls of the channels to form a straight oriented grain-wall interface or the electrolyte may be a single crystal. In one form, the electrolyte conducts oxygen ions, the matrix is silica, and the electrolyte is yttrium doped zirconia.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• Assignee: UT-Battelle LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)
• Patent Number(s): 7,641,997
• Application Number: US Patent Application 10/947,836
• OSTI ID: 1014082
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English