Description

Key Properties & Advantages
MCO’s performance is defined by its spinel crystal structure and optimized Mn/Co ratio:

Controlled Particle Size (0.3–0.5 μm): Enables dense coating formation at moderate sintering temperatures (800–1000°C), ensuring uniform coverage on metal interconnects while maintaining adhesion and structural integrity.
Moderate Specific Surface Area (5–10 m²/g): Balances sinterability with surface activity, supporting efficient oxygen adsorption/desorption—critical for both corrosion protection in SOFCs and catalytic activity in oxidation reactions.
Low Moisture Content (<1 wt.%): Prevents agglomeration during storage and processing, ensuring uniform dispersion in slurries or pastes for coating applications. Spinel Structural Stability: Retains its Mn₁.₅Co₁.₅O₄₋δ spinel structure at 600–900°C in oxidizing atmospheres, resisting phase decomposition and ensuring long-term performance in SOFC operating environments. High Electrical Conductivity: Exhibits p-type conductivity (100–300 S/cm at 800°C), enabling efficient current collection in SOFC interconnects while blocking oxygen diffusion to underlying metals. Corrosion Resistance: Forms a protective layer on metallic interconnects (e.g., ferritic stainless steels), preventing chromium evaporation and scaling—critical for maintaining SOFC stack efficiency. Core Applications Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) Interconnects MCO is the industry standard for interconnect coatings in SOFC stacks, where corrosion protection and conductivity are paramount: Interconnect Coatings: Applied to ferritic stainless steel interconnects to prevent chromium migration (which poisons cathodes) and reduce contact resistance, extending stack lifetime to 10,000+ hours. Current Collection Layers: Facilitates electron transport between cells in SOFC stacks, leveraging its high conductivity and compatibility with cathode materials (LSM, LSCF). Catalysis & Environmental Remediation Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) Catalysts: Exhibits high activity for OER in electrochemical systems (e.g., water splitting), leveraging its redox-active Mn/Co sites and stability in alkaline environments. VOC Oxidation Catalysts: Catalyzes the degradation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial exhaust streams, supported by its ability to activate oxygen at moderate temperatures (300–500°C). High-Temperature Sensors Gas Sensing Electrodes: Used in high-temperature gas sensors for monitoring oxygen or toxic gas levels, thanks to its sensitivity to gas composition and stable electrical response. Technical Specifications The technical specifications are as follows: Chemical Composition Mn₁.₅Co₁.₅O₄₋δ (manganese cobalt spinel oxide), Particle Size (D50) 0.3–0.5 μm (laser diffraction), Specific Surface Area 5–10 m²/g (BET method), Moisture Content <1 wt.% (Karl Fischer titration), Crystal Structure Cubic spinel (AB₂O₄), Color Black to dark brown crystalline powder. Quality Assurance Each batch of MCO undergoes rigorous testing to ensure reliability: X-ray diffraction (XRD) to confirm spinel phase purity and crystal structure. Particle size analysis (laser diffraction) to verify 0.3–0.5 μm distribution. BET surface area measurement to validate 5–10 m²/g range. Moisture content testing to ensure compliance with <1 wt.% specification. Conductivity testing (optional) to confirm performance at 600–900°C.