Nanostructured MnCo2O4 synthesized via co-precipitation method for SOFC interconnect application

Nanostructured manganese cobaltite spinel oxide (MnCo2O4) was successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that the molar ratio of OH−/NO3− = 1.5 in the precipitation stage is more appropriate for achieving MnCo2O4 phase. The results of thermal analysis (TGA/DTA) along with the XRD results revealed that the MnCo2O4 phase remains stable up to 1050 °C. Morphological studies show that by increasing the calcination temperature from 350 to 550 and 1000 °C, morphology of the particles varies from plate-like to quasi spherical and polyhedral shape, respectively. Density and porosity measurement of cold pressed and sintered samples showed that by employing un-calcined powder, a dense sample with 98% of the theoretical density could be obtained at the sintering temperature of 1000 °C. Selected synthesized powders were coated on the AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel coupons and the results demonstrated that using un-calcined powder, leads to the formation of a highly dense and adhesive coating layer due to the very high tendency of un-calcined powder for densification.