Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Surface characteristics of sodium beta-alumina electrolyte compositions

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5986287
Surfaces of sodium beta/beta''-alumina ceramics were characterized via techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, SIMS, and ESCA to determine the nature of resistive surface film leading to the phenomenon of asymmetric polarization in a sodium-sulfur cell. The results indicated that the resistive surface film is soda-rich, submicrometer thick, and removable by a surface treatment. A mechanism consistent with these observations is proposed for the formation of resistive surface film on sodium beta/beta''-alumina during the sintering process.
Research Organization:
General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (USA). Inorganic Materials Lab.
OSTI ID:
5986287
Report Number(s):
GE-83CRD299; ON: TI85901177
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English