Preparation and performances of electrically conductive Nb-doped TiO2 coatings for 316 stainless steel bipolar plates of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. (September 2018) - Wang, Yanli
Highlights: Adhesive anatase Ti1- x Nb x O2 coatings are prepared on the 316 L stainless steel. The Ti1- x Nb x O2 coatings increase the corrosion resistance of 316 L in 0.1 M H2 SO4 . There is no obvious degradation for Ti0.96 Nb0.04 O2 coating after 30-day exposure. A lower interfacial contact resistance for the Ti0.96 Nb0.04 O2 coating is achieved. Abstract: The dissolution and passivation of the metal bipolar plates is one of the main problems for the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In present study, the adhesive anatase Ti1- x Nb x O2 coatings are prepared on the 316 L and their corrosion behavior is also investigated in 0.1 M H2 SO4 solution at 80 °C. The coatings can increase the corrosion potential of 316 L by more than 200 mVAg/AgCl . Thirty-day exposure experiment indicates that the Ti1- x Nb x O2 coatings show high stability, and can inhibit effectively the corrosion of the steel. Moreover, a lower interfacial contact resistance is achieved for the Ti0.96 Nb0.04 O2 coating.