Battelle Memorial Institute

Xiaochuan Lu

Vincent L Sprenkle

Jin Yong Kim

Guosheng Li

John Patrick Lemmon

Kerry D Meinhardt

A dense &#x3b2;&#x2033;-alumina/zirconia composite solid electrolyte and process for fabrication are disclosed. The process allows fabrication at temperatures at or below 1600&#xb0; C. The solid electrolytes include a dense composite matrix of &#x3b2;&#x2033;-alumina and zirconia, and one or more transition metal oxides that aid the conversion and densification of precursor salts during sintering. The composite solid electrolytes find application in sodium energy storage devices and power-grid systems and devices for energy applications.

Process for fabrication of enhanced &#x3b2;&#x2033;-alumina solid electrolytes for energy storage devices and energy applications

An energy storage device comprising a cathode comprising:

Na&#x2014;FeClZEBRA type battery

A new battery configuration and process are detailed. The battery cell includes a solid electrolyte configured with an engineered metallization layer that distributes sodium across the surface of the electrolyte extending the active area of the cathode in contact with the anode during operation. The metallization layer enhances performance, efficiency, and capacity of sodium batteries at intermediate temperatures at or below about 200&#xb0; C.

Metallization pattern on solid electrolyte or porous support of sodium battery process

Sodium energy storage devices employing aspects of both ZEBRA batteries and traditional Na&#x2014;S batteries can perform better than either battery alone. The hybrid energy storage devices described herein can include a sodium anode, a molten sodium salt catholyte, and a positive electrode that has active species containing sulfur. Additional active species can include a transition metal source and NaCl. As a product of the energy discharge process, NaSforms in which x is less than three.

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Richland, WA, United States of America

Xiaochuan Lu