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Research Paper

Fabrication, oxidation resistance and electrical conductivity of LaB6-hBN/TiB2-hBN/LaB6-hBN multilayer composites

  • ZHANG Yin ,
  • SUN Xiao-Ming ,
  • MA Hong ,
  • SUN Guo-Liang ,
  • ZHANG Wei-Gang
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  • 1. School of Chemical Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101408, China 2. Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China 3. School of Rare Earths, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China 4. Ganjiang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341119, China

Received date: 2025-12-09

  Revised date: 2026-01-07

  Online published: 2026-07-28

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnects are critical components for the durability of stack performance. Conventional materials such as stainless steels or ceramics face challenges including poor oxidation resistance, excessive weight or low machinability. This study proposes an innovative multilayer ceramic composite structure with the configuration of LaB6-hBN/TiB2-hBN/LaB6-hBN, and investigates high-temperature oxidation behavior and electrical conductivity. The composites are fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS), with precise control over powder composition and loading sequence to form a well-defined layered architecture: the top and bottom surface layers, rich in LaB6, provide excellent oxidation resistance and high-temperature electrical conductivity, while the middle matrix TiB2-hBN layer contributes to mechanical robustness and processability. Experimental results demonstrate that the multilayer sample A2 (with top and bottom surface layers each containing 7.5vol% LaB6 and 2.5vol% hBN, and a middle layer of 40.0vol% TiB2 and 40.0vol% hBN) exhibits remarkable oxidation resistance. After being oxidized at 600℃ for 100 hours, it still maintains a high-temperature conductivity of approximately 3 S/cm. The material's compressive strength and strain can reach 450 MPa and 1.67%, respectively, and it also has good processability. XRD, SEM, and EDS analyses confirm that LaB6 in the top and bottom surface layers remains largely unoxidized under long-term air exposure at 600℃, while TiB2 in the middle layer forms an oxidation barrier layer with 20 μm thick TiO2 film, which effectively suppresses inward oxidation. The hBN-TiB2-LaB6 structure, with hBN enriched in the interface layer, ensures a conductive pathway at the interface. This work presents a feasible and effective strategy for designing advanced SOFC interconnects with an optimal balance of oxidation-resistant, electrical, and mechanical properties, offering valuable insights into material selection and structural design for high-temperature energy applications.

Cite this article

ZHANG Yin , SUN Xiao-Ming , MA Hong , SUN Guo-Liang , ZHANG Wei-Gang . Fabrication, oxidation resistance and electrical conductivity of LaB6-hBN/TiB2-hBN/LaB6-hBN multilayer composites[J]. The Chinese Journal of Process Engineering, 2026 , 26(7) : 781 -791 . DOI: 10.12034/j.issn.1009-606X.225303

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