Growth of Cr-Nitrides on commercial Ni–Cr and Fe–Cr base alloys to protect PEMFC bipolar plates
Nitridation of Cr-bearing alloys can yield low interfacial contact resistance (ICR), electrically conductive and corrosion-resistant CrN or Cr2N base surfaces of interest for a range of electrochemical devices, including fuel cells, batteries, and sensors. This paper presents results of exploratory studies of the nitridation of commercially available, high Cr (30–35 wt%) Ni–Cr alloys and a ferritic high Cr (29 wt%) stainless steel for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates. A high degree of corrosion resistance in sulfuric acid solutions designed to simulate bipolar plate conditions and low ICR values were achieved. Oxygen impurities in the nitriding environment were observed to play a significant role in the nitrided surface structures that formed, with detrimental effects for the Ni–Cr base alloys, but beneficial effects for the stainless steel alloy. Positive results from single-cell fuel cell testing are also presented.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies Program
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC36-08GO28308
- OSTI ID:
- 1344857
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/JA--560-42504
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Journal Name: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy Journal Issue: 16 Vol. 32; ISSN 0360-3199
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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