The exceptional corrosion resistance, low weight, and high strength of titanium (Ti) make it an excellent choice for components in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). However, during PEMFC operation, Ti undergoes passivation, which diminishes the bipolar plates' (BP) ability to transport electrons between cells. Applying titanium nitride (TiN) coatings, known for their good conductive properties, can resolve this issue and enhance corrosion resistance. Additionally, using additive manufacturing (AM) to produce BP offers numerous benefits in terms of structural control for more intricate designs. This study examines the impact of TiN coating via gas nitriding on Ti-6Al-4V open structures created by powder bed fusion-electron beam/metal (PBF-EB/M) or PM routes, focusing on the surface characteristics such as composition and interfacial contact resistance (ICR).
A thermal method of synthesis and fixation of Pt nanoparticles (Pt NPs) on carbon paper is proposed in this paper. Carbon paper was coated with H2PtCl6 by simple immersion in an ethanol solution containing the Pt precursor. Thereafter, H2PtCl6 was decomposed in inert atmosphere into Pt NPs by applying a temperature of 600 degrees C. Formed Pt NPs were able to oxidize the surrounding carbon fiber surface. This local thermal oxidation of carbon pro-moted the generation of nano-roughness and Pt NPs were embedded in the carbon fiber, thus favoring their fixation on carbon paper. Pt load can be easily controlled by the number of coating processes applied. The proposed method combines the advantage of achieving small size nanoparticles (5-10 nm) with enhanced fixation of Pt NPs when compared with electrochemical synthesis. The optimal number of coatings applied was three, which produced a complete coverage of carbon paper surface (with a Pt load of 0.18 mg cm-2).(c) 2022 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
