CORROSION PROTECTION OF ELECTROLESS PLATING Ni-P INCLUDING TiN NANOPARTICLES FOR BIPOLAR PLATES OF PEMFCs

The Ni-P/TiN coating was used as bipolar plate by electroless plating on Ti. Surface morphology and phase structure of the coatings were characterized by SEM and XRD, respectively. Corrosion resistance of Ni-P and Ni-P/TiN coating was measured in the simulated solution of Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The interfacial contact resistance (ICR) was conducted by applied different forces. SEM images indicated that the particles of core–shell structure were formed on the surface of coating on Ti substrate. The core–shell structure was composed of TiN core and Ni-P electroless plating shell. Compared with Ni-P coatings, the Ni-P/TiN coating showed better corrosion resistance behaviors and low ICR (below 10 m Ω cm − 2 under pressure of 200 N/cm 2 ) . TiN particles and distribution of core–shell were in favor of the formation of coating and compact surface morphology. The good conductivity was attributed to the compact surface morphology of coating. The Ni-P/TiN coating showed excellent interfacial conductivity and good corrosion resistance at applied high potential in simulated solution of PEMFCs.