Structural, thermal and crystallization kinetics of ZnO–BaO–SiO2–B2O3–Mn2O3 based glass sealants for solid oxide fuel cells

Glass compositions in the system 40SiO2–30BaO–20ZnO–(x)Mn2O3–(10 − x)B2O3 glasses have been synthesized and the thermal, structural and crystallization kinetic properties characterized. The lower concentration of Mn2O3 in place of B2O3 acts as a network former and suppressed the tendency of phase separation in glasses. On the other hand, concentration of Mn2O3 > 7.5 mol% induce phase separation in the glass matrix. The highest activation energy for crystallization is observed in the composition without B2O3 (INM4) (355 kJ/mol). The values of thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) and viscosity of this glass is 8 × 10−6 K−1 and 104.2dPa s (850 °C), respectively. After long heat treatment (800 °C for 100 h), thermodynamically stable hexacelsian and monoclinic phases are formed. These phases are not detrimental to SOFC application.