Journal Article

Properties of SS304 modified by nickel-cobalt alloy coating with cauliflower-shaped micro/nano structures in simulated PEMFC cathode environment

Xuan, Junji, Liu, Yueren, Xin, Yonglei, Li, Li, Xu, Likun, Xue, Lili

2022

Overview

This study presents the corrosion behavior and surface properties of SS304 modified by electrodeposited nickel–cobalt (Ni–Co) alloy coating with cauliflower-shaped micro/nano structures (Ni–Co/SS304) in the simulated PEMFC cathodic environment. The hydrophobicity of the as-prepared Ni–Co alloy coating can be improved simply by low-temperature annealing. The morphology and composition of the Ni–Co/SS304 were analyzed and characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD, and XPS. The polarization, wettability, and ICR tests were respectively conducted to systemically evaluate the performance of Ni–Co/SS304 in the simulated PEMFC cathode environment. As revealed by the results, the Ni–Co/SS304 can maintain its hydrophobicity under hot-water droplets as high as 80 °C and demonstrates higher conductivity than the bare SS304 substrate before and after polarization (0.6 V vs. SCE, 5 h), which is of great significance to improve the surface hydrophobicity and conductivity of bipolar plates.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Aluminum alloys / Analysis / Annealing / Austenitic stainless steels / bipolar plates / Cathodes / Cathodic coating (process) / Coated electrodes / Coating processes / Coatings / Cobalt / Composite materials / Conductivity / Contact angle / Corrosion and anti-corrosives / Corrosion resistance / Corrosion tests / Electrode polarization / electrodeposition / Electrodes / Energy / Ethanol / Hydrophobicity / Ion implantation / Low temperature / Mechanical properties / Methods / Morphology / Nickel / Nickel alloys / Nickel base alloys / Ni–Co / PEMFC / Plating / Polarization / Simulation / Stainless steel / Substrates / Surface properties / Water drops / Wettability / X ray photoelectron spectroscopy