Surface modification stainless steel as bipolar plate material for PEMFC

To reduce the interfacial contact resistance (ICR) of the stainless steel, the surface modification technology of electroplating Cr and heating in vacuum for AISI 304SS is exploited. The electrochemical tests such as potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarization in the simulation PEMFC environments are measured and the ICR between the carbon paper (diffusion layer) and the sample is evaluated. The results show that ICR is reduced markedly and corrosion resistance is better than the substrate. The modification stainless steel may be better candidate for the bipolar plates of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC).