Preparation and characterization of corundum ceramics doped with Fe2O3 and TiO2 for high temperature thermal storage

High-temperature thermal storage materials have received urgent attention for efficient thermal transfer in solar thermal power generation. Corundum ceramics doped with Fe2O3 and TiO2 were prepared via a pressureless sintering. A Fe2O3–TiO2 system with different Fe2O3/TiO2 ratios was applied to corundum ceramics. Phase composition, microstructural evolution, sintering properties, high temperature resistance and thermophysical properties were evaluated. The results indicated that Fe2O3 and TiO2 rendered the grains highly active and enhanced the bonding between grains due to existing stably in the lattice of corundum. In addition, decrease in the Fe2O3/TiO2 ratio led to a new phase of FeAlTiO5, which refined the grains. These effects gave the samples good sintering properties and thermal shock resistance, but the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch between FeAlTiO5 and corundum deteriorated the high-temperature (1300 °C) stability. Formula C1 (Fe2O3/TiO2 ratio of 9:1) sintered at 1600 °C had the optimum comprehensive properties, possessing a bending strength loss rate of 1.54% after 30 cycles of thermal shock (1100 °C-room temperature, air cooling) and a constant strength retention rate of approximately 71.34% after 90 h high-temperature cycle. The corresponding thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity were 18.81 W/(m·K) and 1.02 J/(g·K) at 25 °C, which was suitable as a high-temperature thermal storage material.