Effect of plasma nitriding on AISI 304 stainless steel surface electrochemical properties and hydrogen evolution rate

Stainless steel has been using widely as an electrode into hydrogen production electrolyzer. Surface modification techniques are used to improve its efficiency and corrosion properties, nitriding technique is one of these processes. In this work, DC glow discharge plasma was performed for different periods, 5, 10, 15, 20 hours to nitride 304 stainless steel surfaces. The structural and chemical composition characterizations via XRD and XPS respectively have revealed the formation of ε-Fe
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N and CrN phases. Hydrogen evolution rate, HER, for the plasma treated electrodes has been evaluated via electrochemical polarization studies. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy EIS measurements have shown that plasma treated change electrodes whole system resistance. ε-Fe
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N and CrN formation, growth affecting overpotential, Tafel slope and their ability to hydrogen evolution.