Effects of cesium addition on the properties of Na plus -β/β-alumina solid electrolyte

Cesium-doped BASEs were prepared from the calculation result that cesium atoms added to sodium-beta-alumina solid electrolyte (BASE) lower the binding energy between sodium and BASE, which can improve the wettability of molten sodium in the anode in Na/NiCl2 batteries; and changes in their properties, such as ionic conductivity, were studied. Cesium with the same crystal structure as sodium (bcc) and equivalent electron configuration ([Xe]6s1) was dissolved in the BASE crystal structure up to 5.0 wt% of Cs2O content to form Na+-beta/beta-Al2O3. At up to 3.0 wt%, the properties were not significantly affected; however, when the Cs2O content was added above that, the crystal phase formation and relative sintered density were degraded, and the ionic conductivities were lowered.

Automated summary

Cesium-doped BASEs were prepared to improve the wettability of molten sodium in Na/NiCl2 batteries. The properties, such as ionic conductivity, were studied. The addition of cesium affected the crystal phase formation, relative sintered density, and ionic conductivities.