Research Progress on Spinel Coating of Metal Interconnectors for Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
LIU Chang1,2,3, WANG Dongmei1,2,3,*, BIAN Liuzhen1,2,3, YANG Lilin1,2,3, PENG Jihua1,2,3, AN Shengli1,2,3, ZHU Kesheng1,2,3, JIA Jinzhao1,2,3
1 School of Materials Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia, China 2 Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramic Material and Devices, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia, China 3 Key Laboratory of Green Extraction & Efficient Utilization of Light Rare-Earth Resources (Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology), Ministry of Education, Baotou 014010, Inner Mongolia, China
Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) present considerable promise for widespread applications due to their high energy conversion efficiency and zero emissions. Metallic interconnects constitute critical components of SOFC, among which ferritic stainless steel has emerged as the predominant interconnect material owing to its cost-effectiveness and compatible thermal expansion coefficient. However, during the operation of SOFC, the interconnect experiences chromium volatilization and diffusion, which severely degrades cell performance. As one of the surface modification technologies of interconnects, spinel protective coatings demonstrate exceptional protective capabilities, garnering considerable research attention. This review summarizes the effects of composition design and preparation methods of Mn-Co, Cu-Mn, Cu-Fe, Ni-Fe and Ni-Co-based spinel coatings on the conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient compatibility, oxidation resistance, coating quality and adhesion in recent years. Current challenges and mitigation strategies are discussed, ultimately providing practical guidelines for the design, preparation and application of high-performance SOFC interconnect coatings.
1 Hu Y, Li D, Guo H, et al. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025, 505, 159321. 2 Liu X Y, Wang Z M, Liu T K, et al. Materials Research and Application, 2025, 19(6), 1108(in Chinese). 刘肖宇, 王子鸣, 刘太楷, 等. 材料研究与应用, 2025, 19(6), 1108. 3 Zhu J H, Chesson D A, Yu Y T. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 2021, 168(11), 114519. 4 Manzo D, Thai R, Le H T, et al. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 2025, 75, 104229. 5 Minh N Q. In:22nd Annual SOFC Project Review Meeting. Center for Energy Research, University of California San Diego, United States, 2021. 6 Jiang S P. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2012, 37(1), 449. 7 Serra J M, Buchkremer H P. Journal of Power Sources, 2007, 172(2), 768. 8 Jiang Z, Wen K, Liu T, et al. Surface Technology, 2022, 51(4), 14 (in Chinese). 江舟, 文魁, 刘太楷, 等. 表面技术, 2022, 51(4), 14. 9 Zhu W Z, Deevi S C. Materials Science and Engineering:A, 2003, 348(1), 227. 10 Mahato N, Banerjee A, Gupta A, et al. Progress in Materials Science, 2015, 72, 141. 11 Mao J, Wang E, Wang H, et al. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2023, 185. 12 Liu T, Tao Y, Song H, et al. Materials Today Communications, 2024, 41. 13 Li H, Wang Y, Liu H, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2023, 48(81), 31700. 14 Brodnikovskyi D M. Powder Metallurgy and Metal Ceramics, 2024, 63(3), 184. 15 Ippommatsu M, Sasaki H, Otoshi S. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 1996, 21(2), 129. 16 Fontell E, Kivisaari T, Christiansen N, et al. Journal of Power Sources, 2004, 131(1), 49. 17 Yao Y, Tang X. In:Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Industry Research. Sinolink Securities, 2024. 18 Zhang Y, Wang B, Zhao L, et al. Materials Reports, 2014, 28(21), 15 (in Chinese). 张勇, 王博煜, 赵丽霞, 等. 材料导报, 2014, 28(21), 15. 19 Jin Y, Sheng J, Hao G, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022, 47(29), 13960. 20 Norouzi A, Soltanieh M, Rastegari S. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022, 47(31), 14346. 21 Ma Z B, Wang M H, Zhang Y S, et al. Vacuum, 2022, 204. 22 Lee J W, Mehran M T, Song R H, et al. Metals and Materials International, 2017, 23(6), 1250. 23 Zhang W, Shi R, Chen L, et al. Energy & Fuels, 2023, 37(23), 18078. 24 Fontana S, Chevalier S, Caboche G. Oxidation of Metals, 2012, 78(5), 307. 25 Piccardo P, Amendola R, Fontana S, et al. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 2009, 39(4), 545. 26 Fontana S, Amendola R, Chevalier S, et al. Journal of Power Sources, 2007, 171(2), 652. 27 Fontana S, Chevalier S, Caboche G. Journal of Power Sources, 2009, 193(1), 136. 28 Frangini S, Della Seta L, Paoletti C. Energies, 2022, 15(2), 632. 29 Brylewski T, Dabek J, Przybylski K, et al. Journal of Power Sources, 2012, 208, 86. 30 Przybylski K, Brylewski T. Materials Transactions, 2011, 52(3), 345. 31 Yang Z, Xia G G, Maupin G D, et al. Surface & Coatings Technology, 2006, 201(7), 4476. 32 Chou Y S, Canfield N, Bonnett J F, et al. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 2020, 17(5), 2051. 33 Zhen Y D, Jiang S P, Zhang S, et al. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2006, 26(15), 3253. 34 Jiang S P, Zhang S, Zhen Y D. Materials Science and Engineering:B, 2005, 119(1), 80. 35 Kim J H, Song R H, Hyun S H. Solid State Ionics, 2004, 174(1), 185. 36 Bordeneuve H, Tenailleau C, Guillemet F S, et al. Solid State Sciences, 2010, 12(3), 379. 37 Hu Y Z, Su Y T, Li C X, et al. Applied Surface Science, 2020, 499, 143726. 38 Rousset A, Tenailleau C, Dufour P, et al. International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 2013, 10(1), 175. 39 Sabzalian S, Soltanieh M, Rastegari S. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2023, 48(43), 16406. 40 Jin Y, Hao W, Guo M, et al. Ceramics International, 2023, 49(17, Part A), 27716. 41 Guo P Y, Pan J C, Wei P Y, et al. Surface & Coatings Technology, 2023, 464. 42 Zhao Y, Jiang Y, Zhang L, et al. Journal of Power Sources, 2024, 599, 234221. 43 Pan Y, Liu Y, Shi D, et al. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 2024, 7(11), 4950. 44 Zhao Y, Zhang S, Su M, et al. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 470, 144397. 45 Shang L, Ni Y, Wang Y, et al. Advanced Materials, 2024, 18, 36. 46 Dang T H T, Lee I T, Kim J, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2025, 122, 150. 47 Zhao Q, Geng S, Chen G, et al. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2018, 769, 120. 48 You P F, Zhang X, Zhang H L, et al. Oxidation of Metals, 2018, 90(3-4), 499. 49 You P. Preparation and high temperature performances of NiFe2O4 spinel coating for ferritic stainless steel. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Science and Technology of China, China, 2018 (in Chinese). 游彭飞. SOFC铁素体不锈钢连接体用NiFe2O4基涂层的制备与高温性能. 博士学位论文, 中国科学技术大学, 2018. 50 Petric A, Ling H. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 2007, 90(5), 1515. 51 Wu J, Gemmen R S, Manivannan A, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2011, 36(7), 4525. 52 Talic B, Hendriksen P V, Wiik K, et al. Solid State Ionics, 2018, 326, 90. 53 Xu Y, Wen Z, Wang S, et al. Solid State Ionics, 2011, 192(1), 561. 54 Brylewski T, Kruk A, Bobruk M, et al. Journal of Power Sources, 2016, 333, 145. 55 Wang B, Li K, Liu J, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2024, 61, 216. 56 Thaheem I, Joh D W, Noh T, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44(8), 4293. 57 Waluyo N S, Park B-K, Lee S-B, et al. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry, 2014, 18(2), 445. 58 Geng S, Zhao Q, Li Y, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(15), 10298. 59 Wei P, Bieringer M, Cranswick L M D, et al. Journal of Materials Science, 2010, 45(4), 1056. 60 Ignaczak J, Zeng L, Sanchez D F, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2023, 48(92), 36076. 61 Zhu Z, Darl Uzu C, Pal U, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2022, 47(87), 36953. 62 Mazur Ł, Brylewski T. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 2024, 55(12), 5100. 63 Hosseini S N, Enayati M H, Karimzadeh F, et al. Thermochimica Acta, 2016, 639, 91. 64 Pan Y, Geng S, Chen G, et al. Corrosion Science, 2020, 170, 108680. 65 Hou P Y, Stringer J. Materials Science and Engineering:A, 1995, 202(1), 1. 66 Liu Y, Chen D Y. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2009, 34(22), 9220. 67 Hua B, Zhang W, Wu J, et al. Journal of Power Sources, 2010, 195(21), 7375. 68 Cheng F, Cui J, Wang L, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42(17), 12477. 69 Zhou J, Hu X, Li J. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2021, 887, 161358. 70 Zhou J, Hu X, Li J, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2021, 46(67), 33580. 71 Zhao M, Geng S, Chen G, et al. Journal of Power Sources, 2019, 414, 530. 72 Guo H, Li D-S, Li Q, et al. Ceramics International, 2024, 50(22, Part C), 48246. 73 Verma V, Belcher C H, Apelian D, et al. Progress in Materials Science, 2024, 142, 101245. 74 Li X, Feng Y, Liu B, et al. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2019, 788, 485. 75 Dąbrowa J, Stygar M, Mikuła A, et al. Materials Letters, 2018, 216, 32. 76 Zhao Q, Geng S, Zhang Y, et al. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2022, 908. 77 Zhang Y. Sputtering deposition of high entropy alloy coating of FeCo-NiMnCu on stainless steel surface and its high temperature properties. Master's Thesis, Northeastern University, China, 2021 (in Chinese). 张宇. 不锈钢表面溅射沉积FeCoNiMnCu高熵合金涂层及其高温性能. 硕士学位论文, 东北大学, 2021. 78 Wang Y, Li H, Liu H, et al. Ceramics International, 2023, 49(2), 1940. 79 Li H. Preparation and interfacial reaction of spinel type high entropy oxides for interconnect coating. Master's Thesis, Guangxi University, China, 2023 (in Chinese). 李弘毅. 连接体涂层用尖晶石型高熵氧化物的制备及界面反应研究. 硕士学位论文, 广西大学, 2023. 80 Chen B, Yang A H, Guan C, et al. Surface & Coatings Technology, 2024, 490. 81 Li Z. Preparation and Performance Study of MnCoCuFeNi High Entropy Coatings for SOFC Metallic Interconnects. Master's Thesis, Shenyang University of Technology, China, 2024 (in Chinese). 李忠燚. SOFC金属连接体MnCoCuFeNi高熵涂层的制备与性能研究. 硕士学位论文, 沈阳工业大学, 2024. 82 Hosseini S N, Karimzadeh F, Enayati M H, et al. Solid State Ionics, 2016, 289, 95. 83 Zhang W, Hua B, Duan N, et al. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 2012, 159(9), C388. 84 Geng S, Pan Y, Chen G, et al. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44(18), 9400. 85 Ignaczak J, Bik M, Jamroz J, et al. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, 2025, 45(7), 117259.