Electrode-induced beta battery degradation. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6974060

Browall, K W

The purpose of this study was to investigate sodium and sulfur electrode effects on beta''-alumina ceramic electrolyte degradation. Specifically, four aspects were examined: (1) the sulfur electrode resistance contribution to overall cell resistance and resistance changes with time; (2) effects of calcium and potassium impurities in the sodium electrode on performance and cell life; (3) effect of air contamination on cell performance; and (4) evaluation of the sulfur electrode's chemical corrosivity on the ceramic. Key results include the following: for cells with Generation 8 beta''-alumina ceramic, cell resistance rise is not monotonic. However, up to at least approx. 1000 Ah/cm/sup 2/, the sulfur electrode appears to perform satisfactorily. The results show that high levels of potassium and calcium in sodium are harmful, but that calcium levels up to 50 ppM and potassium levels up to approx. 270 ppM did not appear to have an adverse short-term effect on cell performance or life. Longer term study is warranted, however, in view of the severity of effects at levels above this. For example, calcium levels in excess of several hundred ppM led to severe pitting of the beta''-ceramic. Addition of dry oxygen to the sodium compartment led to sodium oxide formation and a reduction in cell capacity, while wet oxygen introduction caused rapid deterioration in cell performance and life. Dry nitrogen addition to the sodium compartment had no effect on either performance or resistance while wet nitrogen had an effect similar to wet oxygen. Finally, it was found that preferential cycling in either the one- or two-phase region had no influence on beta''-alumina surface degradation.

• Research Organization: General Electric Co., Schenectady, NY (USA). Advanced Energy Programs Dept.
• OSTI ID: 6974060
• Report Number(s): NYSERDA-84-9; ON: TI84901062
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
ELECTRODES
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
IMPURITIES
SOLID ELECTROLYTES
CORROSION
AIR
POTASSIUM
SODIUM
SULFUR
ALKALI METALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROLYTES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
METALS
NONMETALS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
250903* - Energy Storage- Batteries- Materials
Components
& Auxiliaries