Glass capable of ionic conduction and method of preparation
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
InventorsSherman Susman, Leah Boehm, Kenneth J. Volin, Charles J. Delbacq
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Abstract
Sulfide glasses capable of conducting alkali metal ions are prepared from a nonmetal glass former such as GeS.sub.2, B.sub.2 S.sub.3 and SiS.sub.2 in mixture with a glass modifier such as Na.sub.2 S or another alkali metal sulfide. A molten mixture of the constituents is rapidly quenched to below the glass transition temperature by contact with a metal mold. The rapid quench is sufficient to prevent crystallization and permit solidification as an amorphous solid mixture. An oxygen-free atmosphere is maintained over the mixture to prevent oxidation. A new glass system of (1-X) Na.sub.2 O:XB.sub.2 S.sub.3 is disclosed.
Claims13
A method of preparing an electrically conductive glass comprising:
- preparing a molten mixture of an alkali metal sulfide and a non-metal sulfide compound in a substantially oxygen free atmosphere, wherein the non-metal sulfide compound is present in an amount of between about 0.3 and about 0.7 mole fraction and the alkali metal sulfide is present in an amount of between about 0.3 about and 0.7 mole fraction, the non-metal sulfide is selected from the class consisting of sulfides of boron, silicon, germanium and other elements in groups III A, IV A, and V A of the periodic table capable of serving as glass networks, pouring the molten mixture protected by the substantially oxygen free atmosphere into a mold of sufficient mass and cooling capacity to supercool the mixture to the glass transition temperature prior to crystallization to form an amorphous solid mixture of alkali metal sulfide and nonmetal sulfide capable of conducting the ion of said alkali metal.
A method of preparing an electrically conductive glass consisting essentially of an alkali metal sulfide and a non-metal sulfide, said method comprising preparing a molten mixture of alkali metal sulfide and non-metal sulfide in a substantially water-free and oxygen-free atmosphere wherein the non-metal sulfide compound is present in an amount of between about 0.3 and about 0.7 mole fraction and the alkali metal sulfide is present in an amount of between about 0.3 and about 0.7 mole fraction, the non-metal sulfide is selected from the class consisting of sulfides of boron, silicon, germanium and other elements in groups III A, IV A, and V A of the periodic table capable of serving as glass networks;
- and supercooling said molten mixture to a temperature below the glass transition temperature at a cooling rate sufficient to form an amorphous solid mixture capable of conducting alkali metal cations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.