Preparation and performances of electrically conductive Nb-doped TiO2 coatings for 316 stainless steel bipolar plates of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells

The dissolution and passivation of the metal bipolar plates is one of the main problems for the commercialization of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In present study, the adhesive anatase Ti1-xNbxO2 coatings are prepared on the 316 L and their corrosion behavior is also investigated in 0.1 M H2SO4 solution at 80 °C. The coatings can increase the corrosion potential of 316 L by more than 200 mVAg/AgCl. Thirty-day exposure experiment indicates that the Ti1-xNbxO2 coatings show high stability, and can inhibit effectively the corrosion of the steel. Moreover, a lower interfacial contact resistance is achieved for the Ti0.96Nb0.04O2 coating.