This month I took part in conference "EMAS 2012 Regional Workshop" that was held in Padowa. An abstract of the poster presentation is given below:

The “Crofer 22 APU” is a trade name of the steel developed for use in high temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). It is used as an interconnector material between cells and serves as electrical current collector. Such a material has to fulfill several requirements, e.g.: low electrical resistance, stability in atmosphere of reacting gases at elevated temperature, matching of thermal expansion coefficient value to other constituents and, last but not least, low manufacturing cost. The Crofer steel meets most of these requirements, however there is still a need to improve its stability in oxidizing atmosphere.
When exposed to working conditions, a layer of chromium oxide (Cr2O3) is formed on the steel surface. Chromia has a very good electrical conductivity, comparing to Al2O3 and SiO2, but can create volatile species that lower the efficiency of some SOFC components. Manganese is added to the steel to form chromium-manganese spinel on the oxides surface preventing chromium evaporation. Oxide layers grown on the Crofer surface at 800˚C in air atmosphere during different times of exposure were chosen
for investigations. Size and shape, as well as orientation of Cr2O3 and Mn1.5Cr1.5O4 crystallites were analyzed by means of 2D and 3D EBSD. The chemical composition of oxides was investigated using EDS and WDS to analyze the changes in concentration of steel additives like La, Cu Al and Si.

My research in June:

Detailed study on the distribution and types of phases in all my samples has been done by transmission electron microscope. TEM specimens have been prepared by twinjet electro-polishing using a special solution. Carful TEM examinations of the dendritic phase have confirmed the presence of Mg6Ca2Zn3 in all ternary alloys and a presence of one binary phase in Mg-3Zn-0.2 Ca.

Studies carry out on june:
> description of physical properties within CMD and FVM models
> Continuation of EMF measurement for constant ratio of Al to Zn - eutectic composition
> analysis of results
> finding of a new correction to applied model (FVM)

In June I went to Italy. It was splendid although I went there not for holiday but for a conference. Montecatini Terme was a site of the 12th International conference on Smart Materials and Structures organized by CIMTEC. It was my first so BIG multiculti scientific gathering. I regard it as a highly interesting exercise. It was most definitely a valuable experience to see what other people in your field are up to and to struck up one or two or more, if you’re lucky, acquaintances. I presented a poster during the poster session and even got some questions, which I was able answer. What a success!

Main studies carried out during April:


- microhardness measurements for the ribbons with molybdenum addition after annealing
- XRD analysis of phase composition for the ribbons with molybdenum addition after annealing
- TEM investigations of thin ribbons with molybdenum addition – analysis of microstructure evaluation after annealing
- analysis of the results obtained so far,
- participation in seminars and lectures