Effects of N2 Pressure on Properties of Titanium Nitride Films by Filter Cathodic Vacuum Arc for Bipolar Plates in PEM Fuel Cells

Abstract:

This research is aimed to synthesize titanium nitride (TiN) thin films on stainless steel 304 using metal vacuum arc surface coating technique. A titanium rod is used as cathode. Plasma is generated by applying the arc pulse voltage of 450 V between the electrodes in N2 atmosphere. The pressure of N2 is varied from 10-5 to 10-3 torr when compare with uncoated-stainless steel 304. The bias voltage for substrate is -1 kV. Then the properties of the films are investigated. Firstly, microstructures of TiN thin films are indentified by X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and the cross-section scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to measure the thickness. Secondly, the corrosion resistance is examined by electrochemical test in 1 M H2SO4 solution at 25°C. The electrical resistivity is analyzed by interfacial contact resistance measurements.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volumes 110-116)
• Pages: 478-484
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.110-116.478
• Online since: October 2011
• Authors: D. Pejchang, M. Medhisuwakul, S. Sansongsiri
• Keywords: Bipolar Plate, Cathodic Vacuum Arc, Corrosion, Interfacial Contact Resistance, Titanium Nitride

References

[1] F. Barbir. PEM Fuel Cells: Theory and Practice, Academic Press, CA, 2005, p.73 – 110.

[2] M.P. Brady, B Yang, H. Wang, J.A. Turner, K.L. More and F. Garzon. The formation of Protective Nitride Surfaces for PEM Fuel Cell Merallic Bipolar Plates. Reasearch Summary; Fuel Cells (August 2006).

DOI: 10.1007/s11837-006-0054-4

[3] S.Y. Kim, D.H. Han, J.N. Kim and J.J. Lee. Journal of Power Sources 193 (2009) 570-574.

[4] K. Feng, D.T.K. Kwok, D. Liu, Z. Li, X. Cai and P.K. Chu. Journal of Power Sources 195 (2010) 6798–6804.

[5] W.J. Chou, G.P. Yu and J.H. Huang, Corrosion Science 43 (2001) 2053 – (2035).

[6] H. Altun and H. Sinici. Materials Characterization 59 (2008) 266 – 270.

[7] G. Sa´nchez, A. Rodrigo and A. Bologna Alles. Acta Materialia 53 (2005) 4079 – 4086.

[8] D.M. Sanders and A. Anders. Surface and Coatings Technology 133 – 134 (2000) 78 – 90.

[9] J. Liu, F. Chen, Y. Chen and D. Zhang. Journal of Power Sources 187 (2009) 500–504.

[10] K. Yukimura, T. Muraho, M. Kumagai, H. Saito, M Kohata and T. Maruyama. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B 206 (2003) 745–748.

DOI: 10.1016/s0168-583x(03)00834-6

[11] H.S. Choi, D.H. Han W.H. Hong and J.J. Lee. Journal of Power Sources 189 (2009) 966–971.

[12] S.H. Lee, J.H. Kim, M.C. Kim and D.M. Wee. Journal of Power Sources 187 (2009) 312 – 317.

[13] H.H. Huang and M.H. Hon. Thin Solid Films 416 (2002) 54 – 61.

[14] K. Lal, A.K. Meikap, S.K. Chattopadhyay, S.K. Chatterjee, M. Ghosh, K. Baba and R. Harada. Physica B 307 (2001) 150 – 157.

[15] P. LeClair, G.P. Berera and J.S. Mooder. Thin Solid Films 376 (2000) 9 – 15.

[16] W. Guangfu, Z. Huixing, Z. Xiaoji, W. Yuguang and T. Renhe. Surface and Coatings Technology 128 – 129 (2000) 470 – 473.

DOI: 10.1016/s0257-8972(00)00620-4

[17] M. Hakovirta, V. -M. Tiainen and P. Pekko. Diamond and Related Materials 8 (1999) 1183 – 1192.

DOI: 10.1016/s0925-9635(99)00111-9

[18] Anders. Handbook of plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2000).

[19] Anders. Cathodic Arcs, From Fractal Spots to Energetic Condensation. Springer Science+Business Media (2008).

DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-79108-1