Effect of Al2O3 nano-filler on properties of glass-based seals for solid oxide fuel cells.

This study compares the viscosity and strength of three glass-based seals prepared with or without nano or micron-sized alumina powder used as filler material. Measurements of the viscosity and bending strength of the glass-based seals showed that addition of the nano-sized alumina powder to the glass increased both the high-temperature viscosity and the strength of the sintered glass matrix. Strength tests and observations of the microstructure of the fracture surface of the seal samples confirmed the strengthening of the glass network structure. Conversion of non-bridging oxygen to bridging oxygen is presumed to occur upon the addition of alumina to the glass sample. The strengthening of the alumina-glass composite seal was attributed to the alumina nano-filler and prolonged heat treatment at elevated temperatures.