A comparison of nickel coated and uncoated sintered stainless steel used as bipolar plates in low-temperature fuel cells

Bipolar plates (BP) represent a multifunctional component in PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells). Materials used for bipolar plates should have good corrosion resistance in high acidity and high temperature environments. The most common material for BP is graphite (high thermal and chemical resistivity, high electrical conductivity but low mechanical strength). Recently carbon layers deposited on metallic substrates, such as stainless steel (SS), have been proposed to be used as BP in PEMFC. Sintered stainless steel uncoated and coated with C-Ni coating are being studied to be used as bipolar plates in fuel cell. The study found that the conductive nickel layer has a high corrosion resistance in both anode and cathode environments. The microstructure, surface geometry and wettability of C-Ni layer were analyzed. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.