Electrochemical characteristics and interfacial contact resistance of Ni-P/TiN/PTFE coatings on Ti bipolar plates

The Ni-P/TiN/PTFE (poly tetra fluoroethylene) composite coatings were prepared by electroless plating method on Ti plate, which was used as bipolar plates of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The morphology, crystallographic texture, electrochemical corrosion, contact resistance, and hydrophobic property of the Ti bipolar plates with coatings were investigated. The results revealed that Ni-P/TiN/PTFE coating had a dense surface morphology, uniform distribution of composite particles. Ti with coating showed 0.48 μA cm² of corrosion current in the simulated solution of PEMFCs and 6 mΩ cm² of interfacial contact resistance (ICR). The hydrophobicity test showed that the coating interface was flat and the wetting angle was 112.4°. In conclusion, The Ni-P/TiN/PTFE composite coatings exhibit superior improvement in corrosion resistance, interface hydrophobicity, and conductivity to Ni-P, Ni-P/TiN, and Ni-P/PTFE coatings. The Ni-P/TiN/PTFE coating was suited for bipolar plate surface modification of bipolar plates.