Corrosion Behavior and Conductivity of TiNb and TiNbN Coated Steel for Metallic Bipolar Plates

Abstract

To improve corrosion resistance and electronic conductivity of bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), coatings of TiNb and TiNbN on 316L stainless steel (SS) were prepared by magnetron sputtering. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements confirmed the existence of metallic nitrides in the TiNbN coating. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests showed that the deposited coatings provided smooth surfaces. Further electrochemical measurements indicated that the corrosion resistance of TiNb coating was significantly higher than that of substrate. At 0.19 V vs MSE, the long-term stabilized current density of TiNb/316L SS was lower than 1 μA·cm−2. The interfacial contact resistance (ICR) values between coating and carbon paper suggested that TiNb and TiNbN films had better contact conductivity than 316L SS substrate. In conclusion, TiNb coated 316L SS metallic bipolar plate material is a promising option for PEMFC.

Towards Replacing Titanium with Copper in the Bipolar Plates for Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

“…Moreover, we have also demonstrated that Pt can be successfully replaced with corrosion resistant and highly conductive coatings of Nb [ 28 ]. Similarly, Nb and Nb/Ti coatings have also been used for corrosion protection of stainless-steel bipolar plates in PEM fuel cells [ 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”

Special Issue on “Advances in Organic Corrosion Inhibitors and Protective Coatings”

“…Three articles and one review based on corrosion protective coatings were published in this Special Issue. In the work of Shi et al [8], smooth coatings of TiNb and TiNbN were deposited on 316L stainless steel by magnetron sputtering in order both to improve the corrosion resistance and the electronic conductivity of bipolar plates for proton exchange membrane fuel cells.…”

Electrochemical Evaluation of Protective Coatings with Ti Additions on Mild Steel Substrate with Potential Application for PEM Fuel Cells

“…Protective coatings have been investigated in order to improve the corrosion resistance of metallic bipolar plate surfaces. In recent years, different manufacturing methods of protective coatings have been studied, such as the following: chemical vapor deposition [ 8 ], magnetron sputtering [ 9 ], cathodic arc deposition technique [ 10 ], electron beam evaporation [ 11 ], arc ion plating [ 12 ], high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) [ 13 , 14 ], pulsed laser deposition [ 15 , 16 ], etc. Among the deposition techniques, laser cladding (LC) is a strong candidate for the manufacturing of coatings with enhanced surface proprieties.…”