3.1. Particle Size Distribution
The size distribution of the NATP green powder is shown in Fig. 1. Prior to the measurement, the refractive index of the dispersant (H2O) and the NATP green powder was selected to be approximately 1.33 and 1.72, respectively. To ensure accurate and reliable size distribution, ten different measurements were taken, and the average was recorded. The size distribution of the NATP green powder was recorded at various Dx values (D10, D50 and D90). The Dx refer to the diameter of the grain at a certain percentile point in the size distribution curve, and the number in parentheses represents the percentile point. The NATP green powder shows a bimodal size distribution, suggesting the grains are irregular and agglomerated. The size distribution of the NATP is similar to that reported by [24]. Table S1 shows the average size distribution at different Dx values of NATP. D10 refers to the diameter at which 10% of the grains in the sample are smaller than the average grain size. D50 represents the median diameter at which 50% of the grains in the sample are smaller than the average grain size, and D90 indicates the diameter below which 90% of the grains in the sample are smaller than the average grain size. It should be noted that the Mastersizer only provides an estimated size distribution and not the powder's grain size.
3.2 Dilatometry
The changes in the volume of the NATP green pellets as a function of temperature are shown in Fig. 2. NATP green powder was first pressed into 12–15 mm long cylindrical pellets using a cold isostatic press, and the change in length (△L/Lo) of the NATP cylindrical pellets as a function of the temperature (°C) was recorded over a wide temperature range between room temperature and 1100°C. A small change in the pellet length (△L ≈ 0.005 m) was recorded between room temperature and 878°C, and a further drop in the ceramic length (△L ≈ 0.055 m) was recorded between 878 and 1050°C, as shown in Fig. 2, similar to what was obtained for LATP by [24]. Investigation into the melt pool phase of NATP, as observed in NZSP [10], resulted in a burnt ceramic, indicating there are no such phases present in the NATP ceramic. In addition, the volume contraction as a function of temperature predicts the optimum sintering temperature of the NATP ceramic. Based on the dilatometer data, the optimum sintering temperature range for NATP is between 850–1000°C.
3.3 Thermogravimetry Analysis
Thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) studies of the NATP ceramic reveal the sample's thermal behaviour. An overall weight loss of 0.14 mg (≈ 2.0%) was recorded throughout the temperature range of 0 to 1100°C, Fig. 3 (black triangle). This weight loss indicates that the sample underwent thermal decomposition and/or released a volatile element. As the temperatures increased, subsequent drops in sample weight were observed. A significant drop in sample weight of 0.05 mg (≈ 0.6%) was observed at a range of 88 to 162°C. This pronounced weight loss could be attributed to the volatilisation of lighter elements such as Na+ ions. As the sintering temperature increases, a further weight drop of 0.03 mg (≈ 0.5%) was observed between 600 and 900°C. This weight loss suggests the onset of another decomposition or release of volatile species such as AlPO4. The weight variations observed in TGA indicate the different processes occurring during sintering. A similar trend was observed for LATP [24, 25]. Further analysis and investigation are required to identify the specific elements or compounds responsible for the weight loss observed at different temperature ranges. Figure S1 provides a supporting image of the thermal behaviour (TGA) of the NATP.
3.4 Differential Scanning Calorimetry.
Distinct heat flows were observed during the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis of the NATP, indicating various thermal changes within the Na-ion compound. Two significant heat flows were observed at 257°C and 865°C, respectively, Fig. 3 (red circle). At 257°C, a less pronounced heat flow was recorded, indicating a smaller energy exchange associated with a structural or phase change (crystallization temperature) in the NATP. This heat flow suggests a subtle rearrangement of the NATP lattice structure. At 865°C, a high heat flow of (≈ 8.57 J/g) was observed, indicating a significant energy exchange (glass transition) within the NATP. The pronounced heat flow at 865°C corresponds to a temperature point where a more substantial rearrangement (glass transition) of the NATP's lattice structure occurs. A similar observation was reported by [26]. The exothermic change in the heat flow indicates that a higher energy is required to overcome the forces holding the NATP constituents together. Figure S2 provides a supporting figure of the thermal behaviour of the NATP.
3.5 X-ray Diffraction
Figures 4 and 5 show the XRD patterns of the NATP powder and sintered ceramics. The diffraction peaks were matched to a rhombohedral Na1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 with space group R-3c and PDF No 01-014-7800 (Fig. 4a). An unknown secondary peak is observed at 22.4, 2θ° for the NATP green powder (Fig. 4b and 5a). The XRD patterns of the conventional sintered NATP ceramics at different sintering temperatures and times are shown in Figs. 4c and 5(b-e). Prior to sintering, the NATP pellets were buried in NATP green powder and sintered between 850–1000°C for 6–12 hours to investigate the optimum sintering temperature, suppress the formation of AlPO4 secondary phase, improve densification and optimise ionic conductivity. The X-ray diffraction patterns of the NATP pellets sintered conventionally at 850, 900, 950 and 1000°C were matched against the diffraction pattern of the Na1.3Al0.3Ti1.7P3O12 green powder. All the XRD patterns of the sintered NATP ceramics have an impurity phase of AlPO4 peaks (x-symbol) at 21.8, 2θ°, similar to the literature [14–16, 24, 25, 33]. However, the AlPO4 impurities phase was minimal at 900°C for 12 hours, Fig. 4c which also had the highest geometric relative density (section 3.7). In addition, the unknown peak present in the NATP green powder at 22.4, 2θ° was absent at this temperature (900°C for 12 hr). Decreasing the sintering temperature to 850°C for 12 hours, Fig. 5b and decreasing the sintering time to 6 hours at 900°C, Fig. 5c also eliminated the unknown secondary peaks but did not minimise the AlPO4 impurity phase and sintering at this condition resulted in a fragile ceramic with poor relative density (section 3.7). Increasing the sintering temperature to 950°C for 12 hours, Fig. 5d and 1000°C for 12 hr, Fig. 5e, increased the volume fraction of the AlPO4 impurity phase at 21.8, 2θ° and further re-introduced the unknown peak at 22.4, 2θ°. All efforts to suppress completely the AlPO4 impurity phase were unsuccessful consistent with previous reports [14, 16, 24, 25].
3.6 Rietveld refinement
Diffraction data of the conventionally sintered NATP at different temperatures and times were analysed using a full-pattern Rietveld refinement method to investigate the crystal structure and phase formation of NATP. The refined data confirmed two phases, R-3c NATP and F1 AlPO4, at all sintered temperatures and times, Table 2. The percentage composition of the AlPO4 (≈ 4.5%) impurity phase was minimal at 900°C for 12 hours compared to NATP sintered at other temperatures and times. In fact, NATP sintered at 950°C for 12 hours has the highest AlPO4 impurity phase (≈ 27.0%). The fitting of the AlPO4 impurity phase and the NATP phase are shown in the zoom-in plot, Fig. 6 (a-e), and the diffraction data of NATP sintered at 900°C for 12 hours are similar to the reported data [15, 33], Fig. 6f. The lattice parameters, theoretical density, goodness of fit (GoF), unit cell volume and the percentage composition of the two phases observed are shown in Table 2.
Table 2
Refined parameters, phase fractions, the goodness of fit (GoF), cell volume and theoretical density of Na1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 ceramic sintered at different temperatures and time.
NATP | Phase fraction (%) | Lattice parameters (Å) | GoF | Unit cell volume | Theoretical density |
Sintered Temp | R-3c NATP | F1-AlPO4 | a | c | | | |
850°C / 12hr | 89.0 | 11.0 | 8.469 | 21.812 | 1.93 | 1354.72 | 2.966 |
900°C / 6hr | 92.0 | 8.0 | 8.484 | 21.769 | 1.48 | 1356.90 | 2.961 |
900°C / 12hr | 95.5 | 4.5 | 8.479 | 21.775 | 1.93 | 1355.70 | 2.964 |
950°C / 12hr | 72.5 | 27.5 | 8.473 | 21.829 | 3.24 | 1357.00 | 2.961 |
1000°C / 12hr | 79.0 | 21.0 | 8.475 | 21.786 | 3.55 | 1355.00 | 2.965 |
3.7. Relative density
The experimental density of NATP sintered pellets was measured using Archimedes and geometric methods, and the results were compared with the theoretical density of NATP obtained from the refinement data and the literature [15]. The relative density (ρr) of NATP was calculated from its theoretical densities of 2.96 g/cm3, Table 2. Figure 7 shows the relative density of NATP sintered at different temperatures for 12 hours using Archimedes (blue circle) and geometric (red star) methods. The ρr follows similar trends to the literature [25, 26]. The ρr of the NATP ceramic sintered at 900°C for 12 hours is comparable to [26] using the geometric technique.
3.8 Scanning electron microscopy
Figure 8 (a-e) shows the SEM micrographs of the sintered NATP ceramics surfaces at different temperatures. At 850°C for 12 hours, Fig. 8a, loosely bonded particles and pores are evident. Conversely, at 950°C for 12 hours, Fig. 8d, larger grain sizes and increased agglomeration are observed. Samples sintered at 900°C for 12 hours show fewer loosely bonded grains compared to others. In general, sintering conditions significantly affect NATP ceramic morphology and microstructure, with optimal conditions leading to reduced loosely bonded grains and enhanced densification, consistent with the literature [25, 32, 33].
3.9 Impedance Spectroscopy
Figure 9 (a - f) shows the Complex Impedance Plane, Z* plots at 25°C for Na1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 ceramics that were sintered at different temperatures (850–1000°C). At 25°C, all the sintered ceramics show a single, well-resolved arc with a high-frequency zero intercept on the Z' axis. The Z* data in Fig. 9 (a - f) were modelled by using an equivalent circuit that is based on a single resistor connected in series with a parallel Resistor-Capacitor element. The single resistor (associated with the high frequency zero intercept of the Z' axis) is attributed to the total resistivity of the ceramic (RT). The total (dc) resistivity estimated from the arc ranges from 6.0 x 106 Ωcm to 1.1 x 107 Ωcm, which is consistent with the literature [16, 24–25, 33]. The capacitance, total resistance, relaxation frequency, and total conductivity at 25°C are shown in Table 3. The capacitance values are in the range of picoFarad/cm, and the relaxation frequencies (RF) of all sintered NATP ceramics are within the range of 10− 4 Hz, as shown in Fig. 9 (a-e). Figure 9f presents a comparison of the Z* plots for Na1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 ceramics in the complex impedance plane at 25°C. Notably, the sample sintered for 12 hours at 900°C exhibits the highest conductivity, measuring 2.45 x 10− 7 S/cm at 25°C. However, the ionic conductivities of other NATP ceramics sintered between 850–1000°C are within the margin.
Figure 10 shows the Arrhenius plots of the total conductivity (σt = 1/Rt) of the NATP solid electrolyte. The activation energies associated with each sintering temperature were calculated and recorded. The activation energy (Ea) observed in our study is comparatively lower, albeit comparable to the literature [33].
Table 3
Room temperature total Capacitance, Resistance, Relaxation frequency and total ionic conductivities of Na1.3Al0.3Ti1.7PO12 solid electrolyte at different sintering temperatures and times.
NATP at 25°C | | Capacitance (F/cm) | Resistance (ꭥ) | Relaxation frequency (Hz) | Conductivity (S/cm) |
Temp (°C) | Time (hr) | CT = 1/2πfmaxR | RT | RF | σT / 25°C |
850 | 12 | 7.114 x 10− 13 | 1.073 x 107 | 1.0 x 104 | 9.32 x 10− 8 |
900 | 6 | 9.946 x 10− 13 | 5.891 x 106 | 2.0 x 104 | 1.69 x 10− 7 |
900 | 12 | 1.874 x 10− 12 | 4.090 x 106 | 1.5 x 104 | 2.45 x 10− 7 |
950 | 12 | 1.731 x 10− 12 | 1.123 x 107 | 1.0 x 104 | 8.90 x 10− 8 |
1000 | 12 | 1.876 x 10− 12 | 6.773 x 106 | 1.0 x 104 | 1.48 x 10− 7 |