Affiliation:
1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634 e-mail:
Abstract
A perspective on emergent phase formation is presented using an interdisciplinary approach gained by working at the “interface” between diverse application areas, including solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and ionic membrane systems, solid state lithium batteries, and ceramics for nuclear waste immobilization. The grain boundary interfacial characteristics of model single-phase materials in these application areas, including (i) CeO2, (ii) Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO), and (iii) hollandite of the form BaxCsyGa2x+yTi8-2x-yO16, as well as the potential for emergent phase formation in composite systems, are discussed. The potential physical properties resulting from emergent phase structure and distribution are discussed, including an overview of existing three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques recently used for characterization. Finally, an approach for thermodynamic characterization of emergent phases based on melt solution calorimetry is outlined, which may be used to predict the energy landscape including phase formation and stability of complex multiphase systems.
Funder
U.S. Department of Energy
Subject
Mechanical Engineering,Mechanics of Materials,Energy Engineering and Power Technology,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials