The Formation of Protective Nitride Surfaces for PEM Fuel Cell Metallic Bipolar Plates

M. P. Brady, B. Yang, H. Wang, J. A. Turner, K. L. More, M. Wilson, F. Garzon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus Citations

Abstract

The selective gas nitridation of model nickel-based 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 based surfaces hold promise to meet U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) performance goals for automotive applications. The thermally grown CrN/Cr2N surface formed on model Ni-Cr based 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 chromium nitride surfaces can be formed on less expensive Fe-Cr based alloys potentially capable of meeting DOE cost goals.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)50-57
Number of pages8
JournalJOM
Volume58
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-560-40690

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