A corrosion mechanism of NbC/α-C:H films for metallic bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cell cathode based on percolation model

A series of NbC/α-C:H films were prepared through arc ion plating for the protection of metallic bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Phase characterizations show that NbC grains were randomly embedded into the α-C:H matrix and their size and content increased with the decreasing of C2H2 flow rate. Results from the kelvin probe force microscope (KPFM) and conductive atomic force microscope (CAFM) presented a uniform surface potential distribution but significant local conductivity differences. DFT calculations and potentiostatic polarization tests indicated that dissolution of NbC grains were preferred in PEMFC cathode environment due to preferential adsorption of corrosive media. On the basis of theoretical calculations and experimental results, a corrosion mechanism was presented based on percolation model to better understand the corrosion process of NbC/α-C:H films in PEMFC cathode.