Overview of corrosion behaviour of ceramic materials in molten salt environments

Abstract

This study reviewed previous studies between the years 2015 and 2021 on how ceramic materials degraded in the presence of molten salt environments. The processes of corrosion resistance of various ceramic compositions subjected to various molten salt compositions and temperatures were also scrutinized. The results offer important new insights into the variables affecting ceramics' corrosion behaviour and the production of corrosion products.  The reported result reveals that the ceramic material with the composition (Sm0.5Sc0.5)2Zr2O7 performed better than that of Sm2Zr2O7 in terms of hot corrosion resistance in molten salt (V2O5 + Na2SO4). It has also been reported that corrosion behaviour is influenced by particle size. Notably, zirconia (n-YSZ) with nanoscale grain sizes was more susceptible to hot corrosion, which was explained by increased specific surface areas. On the other hand, sintering and additives have been found to enhance corrosion resistance. The Y-Y2Si2O7 ceramic's resistance to corrosion in (V2O5 + Na2SO4) molten salt was enhanced by the addition of alumina. The results of these investigations help us understand how corrosion works and what influences ceramic materials' susceptibility to deterioration in molten salt media. This information can direct the creation of more corrosive-resistant ceramic materials for use in high-temperature environments or molten salt-based energy systems, among other corrosive uses.