Pulsed laser deposition of superionic ceramic thin films: deposition and applications in electrochemistry

Pulsed laser deposition PLD.has been used to prepare two types of superionic ceramic thin films: i.NASICON Na superionic conductor.for a Na ion selective membrane and ii. the mixed electronic and oxygen conductors La1yxSrxMnO3"d LSM.for the cathode in solid oxide fuel cells. NASICON thin films have good ionic conductivity with resistivities between 3=103 and 5=104 V cm at room temperature and they have low surface particle densities depending upon the deposition conditions. When NASICON is deposited on polymeric Raipore.membranes frequently employed for Na selectivity, the composite membranes show a significant increase of current efficiency of 23% for the production of sodium hydroxide from sodium sulfate using electrolysis. For LSM, very smooth and dense thin films are produced by PLD with the perovskite structure after an anneal at 9508C. q1998 Elsevier Science B.V.