Oxygen generators ceramic

Guan, J. et al.. Ceramic oxygen generators with thin-fikn zirconia electrolytes, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 85, 2651-2654 (2002). 

The poor efficiencies of coal-fired power plants in 1896 (2.6 percent on average compared with over forty percent one hundred years later) prompted W. W. Jacques to invent the high temperature (500°C to 600°C [900°F to 1100°F]) fuel cell, and then build a lOO-cell battery to produce electricity from coal combustion. The battery operated intermittently for six months, but with diminishing performance, the carbon dioxide generated and present in the air reacted with and consumed its molten potassium hydroxide electrolyte. In 1910, E. Bauer substituted molten salts (e.g., carbonates, silicates, and borates) and used molten silver as the oxygen electrode. Numerous molten salt batteiy systems have since evolved to handle peak loads in electric power plants, and for electric vehicle propulsion. Of particular note is the sodium and nickel chloride couple in a molten chloroalumi-nate salt electrolyte for electric vehicle propulsion. One special feature is the use of a semi-permeable aluminum oxide ceramic separator to prevent lithium ions from diffusing to the sodium electrode, but still allow the opposing flow of sodium ions. 

The amount and positions (atomic locations) of oxygen atoms in the superconductors are highly critical and determine the properties of the superconductor. The oxygen vacancies (or deficiency) can be ordered in these materials. Neutron-diffraction experiments were required to determine the population parameters and the atomic positions of oxygen in these structures. The superconducting transition temperature in these "ceramic" oxides is a critical balance between the oxygen content and a proper mix of Cu2+ and Cus+ ions generated in the anneal or post-heat treatment. 

---