Corrosion Science and Technology

The Corrosion Science Society of Korea (한국부식방식학회)
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Investigation on Electrochemical Characteristics of Metallic Bipolar Plates with Chloride Concentrations for PEMFC

고분자 전해질 연료전지 금속 분리판용 금속의 염화물 농도에 따른 전기화학적 특성 연구

  • Shin, Dong-Ho (Graduate school, Mokpo national maritime university) ;
  • Kim, Seong-Jong (Division of marine engineering, Mokpo national maritime university)
  • 신동호 (목포해양대학교 대학원) ;
  • 김성종 (목포해양대학교 기관시스템공학부)
  • Received : 2021.10.06
  • Accepted : 2021.10.07
  • Published : 2021.12.31
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Abstract

Currently, the demand for eco-friendly energy sources is high, which has prompted research on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Both aluminum alloys and nickel alloys, which are commonly considered as materials of bipolar plates in fuel cells, oxide layers formed on the metal surface have excellent corrosion resistance. In this research, the electrochemical characteristics of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and Inconel 600 were investigated with chloride concentrations in an acid environment that simulated the cathode condition of the PEMFC. After potentiodynamic polarization experiments, Tafel analysis and surface analysis were performed. Inconel 600 presented remarkably good corrosion resistance under all test conditions. The corrosion current density of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy was significantly higher than that of Inconel 600 under all test conditions. Also, 6061-T6 aluminum alloy and Inconel 600 presented uniform corrosion and intergranular corrosion, respectively. The Ni, Cr, and Fe, which are the main chemical compositions of Inconel 600, are higher than Al in the electromotive force series. And a double oxide film of NiO-Cr2O3, which is more stable than Al2O3, is formed. Thus, the corrosion resistance of Inconel 600 is better.

Keywords

References

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