Nanocrystalline MgAl₂O₄: measurement of thermodynamic properties using a solid state cell

Abstract

The tremendous enhancement of the physical, chemical, and mechanical propertiesof materials in their nanocrystalline state is being exploited in a number of frontier technologies; however, concern in the use of nanocrystalline materials is their stability during high-temperature exposure, either while processing or in service. Reported in this communication is a new solid-state electrochemical method for the accurate determination of high-temperature surface thermodynamic properties of nanocrystalline ceramics, using MgAl₂O₄ as a model compound.