Studies on some glass sealants for solid oxide fuel cell

Abstract

Planar design of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is better than tubular design due to its higher current density and simple manufacturing. However, the planar design of SOFC requires sealants at the edges of the cells to prevent fuel leakage and air mixing at higher temperature. The glass and glass ceramics are most suitable and compatible with other components of SOFC at working temperature of SOFC (800-1000oC). In the present study a series of SiO2-B2O3-MgO/SrO-A2O3 (A= Y, La, Al) compositions have been synthesized by taking appropriate proportion (mol %) of each oxide constituents. The as cast samples were characterized by using various techniques viz X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Dilatomterey, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential thermal analysis (DTA).Amorphous nature of all the as cast samples is confirmed by xray diffraction. Absorption bands of all glass samples are composed of silicate and borate chains. The dilatomterey and DTA analysis were done to find the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) and stability respectively. In order to understand the crystallization kinetics these samples were heat treated at 800oC for various heat treatment durations. A detailed structural thermal and bonding nature of glasses has been presented in this report.