Evaluation of electroplated copper coating on ferritic stainless steel for solid oxide fuel cells interconnects

摘要

AbstractA Cu coating was deposited on SUS 430 ferritic stainless steel by a low-cost method of electroplating which was employed for the protection of solid oxide fuel cell metallic interconnects. After oxidation, a two-layer oxide scale consisting of an external layer of CuO and an internal layer of Cr2O3was primarily formed on the coated steel, and a spinel layer consisting of Cu, Cr, Fe and Mn was formed at the CuO/Cr2O3interface. The CuO outer layer not only suppressed the Cr2O3scale growth but also served as an effective obstacle against Cr outward diffusion. The coated steels had lower scale area-specific resistances (ASRs) compared to the uncoated steel. The oxidation mechanism and surface scale electrical properties of the coated steel were discussed.Highlights?Cu coating was deposited on ferritic stainless steel by means of electroplating.?The surface scale of CuO atop Cr2O3was thermally developed on the coated steel.?The outer layer of CuO reduced the growth rate of Cr2O3inner layer.?CuO acted as an effective barrier against the outward diffusion of Cr.?The surface scale on the coated steel exhibited high electrical conductivity.]]>