Formation of Protective Nitride Surfaces for PEM Fuel Cell Metallic Bipolar Plates
- ORNL
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)
Selective gas nitridation of model Ni-base alloys was used to form dense, electrically-conductive and corrosion-resistant nitride surface layers, including TiN, VN, CrN, Cr2N, as well as a complex NiNbVN phase. Evaluation for use as a protective surface for metallic bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) indicated that CrN/Cr2N base surfaces hold promise to meet Department of Energy (DOE) performance goals for automotive applications. The thermally grown CrN/Cr2N surface formed on model Ni-Cr base alloys exhibited good stability and low electrical resistance in single-cell fuel cell testing under simulated drive-cycle conditions. Recent results indicate that similar protective Cr-nitride surfaces can be formed on less expensive Fe-Cr base alloys potentially capable of meeting DOE cost goals.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); High Temperature Materials Laboratory; Shared Research Equipment Collaborative Research Center
- Sponsoring Organization:
- EE USDOE - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 1003560
- Journal Information:
- Journal of the Minerals Metals & Materials Society (JOM), Journal Name: Journal of the Minerals Metals & Materials Society (JOM) Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 58; ISSN 1047-4838; ISSN JOMMER
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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