TiN-coated titanium as the bipolar plate for PEMFC by multi-arc ion plating

In the present study, an economic feasible coating technique, multi-arc ion plating (MIP) technique, is adopted to prepare a titanium nitride (TiN) coating onto titanium (Ti) substrate. The use of the TiN-coated Ti as the bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is then evaluated. Contrast to Ti substrate, the corrosion resistance and interfacial contact resistance are improved after applying the TiN coating. The single fuel cell with Ti/TiN bipolar plate shows higher performance and has been operated for more than 1000 h without decrease in output.

► Multi-arc ion plating (MIP) technique is adopted to prepare a TiN coating onto Ti substrate.
► Ti/TiN shows higher corrosion resistance and lower interfacial contact resistance.
► The single fuel cell with Ti/TiN bipolar plate has been operated for more than 1000 h without decrease in output.