Preparation, characterization and ionic conductivity studies of ZrO 2 dispersed mixed halide matrix (KCl) 0.9–(NaCl) 0.1

Abstract

Composite electrolytes in the system [(KCl) 0.9:(NaCl) 0.1] 1− y :(ZrO 2) y were prepared and their ionic conductivities were studied. In our previous study on the mixed halide system (KCl) 1− x :(NaCl) x , maximum conductivity (∼50 times that of the base KCl matrix) was found when x=0.1. The matrix (KCl) 0.9:(NaCl) 0.1 was dispersed with different concentration of ZrO 2 (powder) for the preparation of composites and their conductivities were determined. The maximum conductivity was developed for the composite having composition y=0.5. The matrices were prepared by melt-quench technique and the dispersion of ZrO 2 was carried out in liquid medium. The conductivity measurements of the composites were carried out by impedance spectroscopy technique. The composite [(KCl) 0.9:(NaCl) 0.1] 0.5:(ZrO 2) 0.5 was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The conductivity of the composite [(KCl) 0.9:(NaCl) 0.1] 0.5:(ZrO 2) 0.5 as a function of temperature was also studied. The conductivity increase in the composite could be attributed to enhancement of defect concentration in the space charge region created at the interface between the host halide and the dispersoid.