Effect of strontium-to-calcium ratio on the structure, crystallization behavior and functional properties of diopside-based glasses

• Diopside glass-ceramics with various Sr/Ca ratios were evaluated for SOFC sealant.
• Influence of Sr/Ca ratio on sintering of glass powder has been observed.
• Increasing Sr/Ca ratio converted the structural units from Q2 to Q1 + Q4.
• The glasses were found to be chemically compatible with the SOFC components.

The role of Sr/Ca ratio, which was varied from 3/6 to 9/0, on the structure, crystallization behavior and properties of diopside-based glass and glass-ceramic sealants targeted to solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) applications was evaluated. The structural changes undergone by glass-powder compacts during isothermal heat treatment at 850 °C for 1–1000 h were investigated using XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis, including quantitative Rietveld refinement, and MAS-NMR (magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance) techniques. The tendency towards crystallization was retarded with increasing Sr/Ca ratio. Diopside-based phases, strontium akermanite and magnesium silicate were developed under various heat-treatment conditions. MAS-NMR analysis of glasses heat treated for 1000 h revealed that with increasing Sr/Ca ratio, Q1 and Q4 structural units were formed at the expenses of Q2 units. The good thermal stability and chemical compatibility of the new glass-ceramic compositions coupled with their mechanical reliability and high electrical resistivity make them attractive for further experimentation as sealants for SOFCs.