Corrosion behavior of CrN, Cr2N and π phase surfaces on nitrided Ni–50Cr for proton exchange membrane fuel cell bipolar plates

The relationships between nitridation, microstructure and corrosion were studied for a thermally nitrided model Ni–50Cr (wt.%) alloy to gain insight into the protection of metallic bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Surface layers containing CrN, Cr2N or ternary Cr–Ni–N π phase nitride were formed, dependent on the nitridation conditions. Studies in aerated pH 3 sulfuric acid at 80 °C indicated that the best corrosion resistance was exhibited by CrN + Cr2N surface layers, which were more corrosion resistant than Ni–50Cr metal, Cr metal, and nitrided Cr. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses indicated oxygen enrichment of the polarized surfaces in the form of Cr-oxide and Cr-oxynitride species. Such oxygen enrichment does not appear to result in detrimental increases in interfacial contact resistance/electrical properties of the surface.