Novel coatings for protecting solid oxide fuel cell interconnects against the dual-atmosphere effect

A key component of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) is the interconnect, which connects individual fuel cells in series to form cell stack reach desired electrical potential. The interconnect exposed air and parallel, these so-called dual-atmosphere conditions give rise especially severe corrosion on air-side. This work investigates coatings mitigate this effect. Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) CeCo-coated AISI 441 samples air-side PVD metallic Al- Al2O3-coated fuel-side were under for up 7000 h. evolution products was followed every 1000 h with an optical microscope. Scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy performed cross-sections after 3000 exposure. SEM analysis showed that coating improved sample's life-time by reducing level Cr evaporation even dual-atmosphere. use suppressed effect since formed barrier hydrogen permeation. best results observed Al Al2O3 fuel-side, drastically reduced However, poor conductivity makes its as challenging.