Improved beta''-alumina electrolytes for advanced storage batteries. Final report

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:5842562

De Jonghe, L C

Investigations which seek to clarify the origin of electrolytic degradation of sodium-beta'' alumina solid electrolytes when used in sodium/sulfur cells are presented. Degradation is often observed on the sulfur as well as on the sodium side of the used electrolytes, although for some extensively used electrolytes no signs of any degradation could be detected. In most cases, large grains could be found to be associated with the initiation of Mode I failure, and controlled experiments showed that grain boundaries of such large grains were mechanically weak. Additionally, acoustic emission monitoring during current flow indicated that Mode I cracking could also progress by slow crack growth. This slow, subcritical crack growth is most important in the very early stages of growth of small cracks. Acoustic emission experiments on electrolytes toughened with a zirconia dispersion indicated that significant increases could be obtained in the threshold current densities at which Mode I degradation initiated.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5842562
• Report Number(s): LBL-19342; ON: DE85010643
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
250903* -- Energy Storage-- Batteries-- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries
ACOUSTIC EMISSION TESTING
ACOUSTIC TESTING
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
ANISOTROPY
CHALCOGENIDES
CRACK PROPAGATION
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
ELECTROLYTES
FAILURES
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURING METHODS
METAL-NONMETAL BATTERIES
MORPHOLOGY
NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SODIUM-SULFUR BATTERIES
SOLID ELECTROLYTES
TESTING
VOLTAMETRY