Corrosion behavior of two candidate PEMFC's bipolar plate materials

Purpose - This paper aims to evaluate corrosion behavior of bare and PbO2-coated stainless steel 316L, as prospective candidates for bipolar plates, in simulated proton exchange membrane fuel cell's (PEMFC's) environment under operating potentials. Design/methodology/approach - A set of potentiodynamic, as well as potentiostatic, electrochemical experiments was carried out under both anodic and cathodic potentials. Gathered data were analyzed via fast Fourier transform algorithm for further investigation. X-ray diffraction analysis was also used for determining coating characteristics upon completion of electrochemical experiments. Findings - Results revealed that bare SS316L is a better candidate for bipolar plate material under anodic potential, as it is cathodically protected. However, PbO2-coated SS316L is favorable under cathodic potential, as bare specimen will suffer localized corrosion in the form of pitting. Originality/value - This research strives to promote the use of electrochemical noise measurement for practical corrosion monitoring of coated bipolar plates in fuel cells.