2649
Synthesis and Processing of Nasicon/Polymer Membranes

Wednesday, 16 May 2018: 16:20
Room 307 (Washington State Convention Center)
S. J. Chiang, C. Liu, and L. Shaw (Illinois Institute of Technology)
The development of renewable energy sources has attracted the attention of researchers. Energy storage techniques of flexible production and demand on batteries based on electrochemistry have been explored during past decades. However, the state-of-the-art developments have been impeded due to the lack of sustainable cell component materials. One way to improve the energy density is through the solid ion exchange membrane, called sodium super ionic conductor (NaSICON). The fundamental challenges in synthesizing high purity NaSICON/polymer membrane lies in achievable of porous sintered body and polymer infiltration. NaSICON is intrinsically brittle as a ceramic. To avoid fracture, NaSICON membranes are typically fabricated with a thickness of 1 mm. However, even with 1 mm thickness the reliability of long-term operation and safety concerns are still present. Thus, we manufactured transformative NaSICON/polymer composite thin films thinner than 50 µm through a process termed as Integrated Mechanical and Thermal Activation (IMTA), sintering and followed by polymer infiltration. The low cost synthesis of NaSICON powder via IMTA as well as the polymer infiltration technique of NaSICON/polymer composite membranes will be discussed.