Improvement in corrosion properties of carbon-coated Fe-based metals for PEFC bipolar plate

Low cost metals are quite attractive as bipolar plate of polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC). However, low cost metals easily corrode due to the absence of good passivation films. In order to give high electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance to low cost metals such as carbon steel (S25C), carbon-coat was carried out by plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition. Carbon-coated samples were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and interfacial contact resistance. Based on the results of polarization measurement, the combination of carbon-coat and electroless nickel plating was found to be effective for decreasing of anodic dissolution of base metal.