Preparation and Characterization of TiN-SBR Coating on Metallic Bipolar Plates for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

In order to reduce interfacial contact resistance (ICR) and enhance corrosion resistance of 310 stainless steel (310 SS) for bipolar plates (BPs) of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), TiN with styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) coating was prepared by using electrophoretic deposition. Microstructure of TiN-SBR coated 310 SS prepared under different conditions was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a uniform, dense and well-bonded TiN-SBR coating was prepared at 30 V for 10 s in the suspension liquid containing 6.0 g/L SBR. Polarization behavior in the simulated service environment of PEMFC (1 M H2SO4 at 298 K) and ICR of the TiN-SBR coating deposited under the optimized conditions were investigated. The results showed that the TiN-SBR coating successfully decreased the anodic polarization current and ICR, indicating excellent interfacial contact resistance and corrosion resistance.