Freeze-drying concepts were utilized in the shape forming of alumina parts by pressureless slip molding using aqueous slurries. A water solidification modifier, glycerol, was utilized to eliminate the defects associated with the expansion and ceramic particle rejection of water during freezing. Castable alumina slurries with solids loading up to 60 vol% were prepared and characterized using viscosity and zeta-potential measurements with and without glycerol additions. Frozen parts were dried under vacuum by sublimation of ice to obtain net-shape green bodies. The combined effects of high-solidsloading slurries, >57.5 vol%, and glycerol additions were essential for freeze casting to achieve highly dense alumina bodies with a uniform microstructure.

Functionally graded and continuously aligned pore structures have been fabricated by a modified tape‐casting process for use as solid oxide fuel cell electrodes, catalysts, sensors, and filtration/separation devices. Pore gradients from <5 to 100 μm and aligned pore tubules have been directly fabricated in various ceramic materials with thin substrate sections approximately 500–1500 μm utilizing both low‐toxicity aqueous‐based slips and organic solvents. This process allows for the generation of pores without the use of thermally fugitive pore formers in a single processing step with no need for tape lamination. The incorporation of tape casting, unidirectional solidification, and the freeze‐drying process results in uniformly acicular pores aligned with the direction of the moving carrier film. Processing and microstructure variability will be discussed as it pertains to the effects of solids loading, freezing temperatures, and solvent type. Applications for this ceramic processing technology will also be discussed.

Functioning bulk-type all-solid-state batteries in a practical form factor with composite positive electrodes, using Al-substituted Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 (LLZO) as the solid electrolyte, have been demonstrated for the first time. The devices incorporate bilayers composed of dense LLZO membranes and porous LLZO scaffolds infiltrated with LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 and other components as positive electrodes, combined with lithium anodes. The porous scaffolds are prepared using an easily scaled freeze-tape-casting method. The unidirectional pores of the scaffold facilitate infiltration of cathode components and shorten lithium ion diffusion path-lengths, while the addition of a soft ionically conductive solid to the scaffold ensures good contact among the components.

No abstract

No abstract