This work investigates synthesis and characterization of Cu-Fe-O/LaCrO 3 spinel composite coatings on Crofer 22 APU and AISI 430 ferritic stainless steels (F) with emphasis on the oxidation behavior and electrical conductivity of these coatings. The Cu x Fe 3-x O 4 (0.75?x?1.25) and LaCrO 3 nano-crystalline powders were prepared by glycine–nitrate process (GNP) followed by calcination. The powders were then applied on stainless steel substrates by screen printing method. The results of electrical conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) measurement, thermal stability in air and chemical compatibility with cathode material showed that the CuFe 2 O 4 spinel is a good candidate as coating on stainless steel interconnects of SOFCs. The results of long term oxidation experiments and area specific resistance (ASR) measurements showed that the spinel protection layer not only significantly decreased the ASR, but also inhibited the Cr 2 O 3 subscale growth by acting as a barrier to the inward diffusion of oxygen as well as the chromium migration into the coating surface even after 400 h oxidation at 800 °C in air. Besides, CuFe 2 O 4 /LaCrO 3 composite coatings had an ASR value of 7.7 after 400 h oxidation which is smaller than 13.8 for CuFe 2 O 4 spinel coating as well as 51.7 for un-coated Crofer 22 APU sample. Keywords: Cu-Fe-O/LaCrO 3 ; Spinel; Ferritic stainless steel; Interconnect; Solid oxide fuel cell
