Manganese–cobalt coatings are promising candidates for solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnection applications because of their high conductivity and good oxidation resistance. In the present study, manganese and cobalt are electrodeposited onCrofer 22APU ferritic stainless steel. The effects of current density, pH, sodium gluconate (NaC$_6$H$_{11}$O$_7$)concentration, cobalt sulphate concentration (CoSO$_4$·7H$_2$O) and deposition duration on the microstructure and cathodic efficiency are characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, weight gain measurements and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, respectively. Results show that increases in current density and deposition duration lead to decrease in current efficiency and deposition rate. Increasing the pH to 2.5 causes an initial rise of current efficiency and depositionrate, followed by subsequent decline. In addition, the increases in sodium gluconate and cobalt sulphate concentrations inthe electrolyte solution result in an increase in current efficiency and deposition rate. Moreover, the results demonstratethat the variations in the current density, pH, sodium gluconate (NaC$_6$H$_{11}$O$_7$) concentration, cobalt sulphate concentration (CoSO$_4$·7H$_2$O) and duration have a significant effect on grain size, uniformity and the adherence of the coating.

Protective coatings can be applied to enhance the performance of interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, AISI 304 steel was coated with a Ni–Fe$_2$O$_3$ composite to form a modified-Watt’s type electrolyte by the conventional electro co-deposition method. The characterization of the coatings before and after cyclic oxidation was performed by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. In order to evaluate the oxidation behaviour, thermal cycling was carried out in a furnace at 850$^{\circ}$C. The results indicated that the coated steel had better oxidation resistance in comparison with the uncoated steel. After 60 cycles of oxidation, the Ni–Fe$_2$O$_3$ composite coating was converted to FeNi$_2$O$_4$, NiCrO$_4$, MnFe$_2$O$_4$ and Fe$_2$NiO$_4$. The Fe$_2$O$_3$/NiFe$_2$O$_4$ composite coating reduced the outward migration of chromium and the growth rate ofthe Cr$_2$O$_3$ layer.

AISI 430 stainless steels are used as interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells. One of the problems with these steels is the migration of chromium through the chrome shell and its transfer to the cathode, resulting in contamination andreduction in the efficiency of the fuel cells. To improve the oxidation resistance of these steels, a protective coating layer can be applied on the steel surface. In this investigation, AISI 430 stainless steel was electroplated with nickel, cobalt and cerium oxide. To investigate oxidation behaviour, isothermal oxidation and cyclic oxidation were performed at 800$^{\circ}$C. The coating on the steel surface was studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. In isothermal and cyclic tests, the coated samples showed less weight gain than the uncoated samples due to the formation of NiFe$_2$O$_4$, CoFe$_2$O$_4$ spinels and NiCr$_2$O$_4$. These spinels prevented the outward diffusion of the chromium, improving the oxidation resistance of the steel substrate. Cyclical oxidation results showed that the coating formed on the steel surface resistedcracking and delamination.