Cu-Mn-Co oxides as protective materials in SOFC technology: The effect of chemical composition on mechanochemical synthesis, sintering behaviour, thermal expansion and electrical conductivity

Dilatometric and conductivity analysis carried out on sintered pellets allowed to obtain simple relations between the materials properties and the composition. Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) and electrical conductivity are increased by Copper doping and high Co:Mn ratios. These findings suggest that the materials characteristics can be opportunely tuned through appropriate composition design, to simultaneously obtain enhanced sintering behaviour, high electrical conductivity and CTE adapted to match the substrate.