Fabrication of continuous mesoporous organic–inorganic nanocomposite films for corrosion protection of stainless steel in PEM fuel cells

The organic–inorganic composite film was deposited on the 304 stainless steel as bipolar plate material for proton exchange membrane fuel cells by spin-coating method. As shown by XRD, N2 adsorption–desorption and TEM, the composite films exhibit ordered mesoporous structures. The corrosion tests in 0.5 M H2SO4 system displayed that, compared with 304SS, the composite films made corrosion potential shifted to positive direction by 250–1000 mV (SCE) and corrosion current decreased by 1–3 orders of magnitude. Wherein, the C-50–60% composite film showed the optimal protective performance, its corresponding potentiostatic polarization process was extremely stable in the simulated fuel cells environment.

Ordered mesoporous organic–inorganic composite film has been achieved by sol–gel and spin-coating techniques. We believe that the mesoporous composite films have a potential application as a protect coating of bipolar plate material.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► Ordered mesoporous composite film was deposited on the 304 stainless steel.
► This composite film exhibited excellent protective performance in 0.5 M H2SO4.
► The film exhibited a high surface tension with water contact angle close to 90°.