How does the oxidation of the electrode surface affect the sintering of the electrode paste?
The influence of electrode surface oxidation on electrode paste sintering is mainly reflected in the following aspects：
1. Changes in physical properties
Decreased conductivity: Oxidation of the electrode surface will form a layer of non-conductive oxide on its surface, which will significantly reduce the conductivity of the electrode.During the sintering process of the electrode paste, the decrease in electrical conductivity may lead to uneven distribution of current inside the electrode, affecting the uniformity and efficiency of sintering.
Reduced surface area: The formation of an oxide layer will reduce the effective surface area of the electrode, thereby reducing the contact area between the electrode and the electrolyte or the surrounding environment.During the sintering process, this may lead to a decrease in the efficiency of heat transfer and material exchange, affecting the sintering effect.
2. Changes in chemical properties
Oxidation reaction acceleration: The oxide layer on the electrode surface may become a catalyst for further oxidation, accelerating the oxidation reaction of the electrode material.During the sintering process, this accelerated oxidation reaction may consume more electrode material, resulting in a decrease in the performance of the electrode paste after sintering.
Chemical reaction interference: The oxide layer may also react chemically with other components in the electrode paste, resulting in by-products that are not conducive to the sintering process.These by-products may hinder the sintering reaction and affect the purity and performance of the sintered product.
3.The impact of the sintering process
Sintering temperature sensitivity: Oxidation of the electrode surface may cause the sensitivity of the electrode paste to the sintering temperature to increase.Due to the presence of an oxide layer, the electrode paste may require a higher temperature during the sintering process to completely melt and form a good bond.However, excessive sintering temperature may also lead to excessive oxidation or melting of the electrode material, further damaging the performance of the sintered product.
Sintering rate change: The presence of an oxide layer may also affect the sintering rate of the electrode paste.On the one hand, the oxide layer may hinder the transfer of heat and matter and reduce the sintering rate; on the other hand, the oxide layer may decompose or reduce at high temperatures, releasing gas or active substances to promote the sintering reaction.Therefore, the specific influence of the oxide layer on the sintering rate depends on various factors such as its composition, thickness and sintering conditions.
4.Measures to prevent electrode oxidation
In order to prevent the oxidation of the electrode surface from adversely affecting the sintering of the electrode paste, the following measures can be taken：
Choose the right electrode material: Choose an electrode material with high stability and not easy to oxidize to reduce the occurrence of oxidation reaction.
Optimize the sintering environment: control the oxygen concentration and temperature in the sintering environment to reduce the oxidation of the electrode material.
Clean the electrode surface regularly: Clean the electrode surface regularly before sintering and during use to remove oxides and dirt, and keep the electrode surface smooth and clean.
Adopt protective measures: Adopt appropriate protective measures during the sintering process, such as covering a protective layer or using a protective gas, etc., to reduce the oxidation of the electrode material.
In summary, the oxidation of the electrode surface has many effects on the sintering of the electrode paste, and effective measures need to be taken to prevent and control it.
