Regulating the structure and performance of amorphous carbon-based films by introducing different interlayers for applications in PEMFC bipolar plates

In this work, the effects of inserting an interlayer on the anti-corrosion performance of amorphous carbon (a-C) films in a simulated Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) environment have been systematically studied. Four a-C films with different interlayers, namely CCr, C-Cr-N, CrN and Cr, were prepared on 316L stainless steel substrates using unbalanced magnetron sputtering. The surface/fractural morphologies, carbon bonding structure and the anti-corrosion performance of the 4 films were observed/characterized in detail. The nanostructure and composition evolution from the film surface down to the film-substrate interface before and after electrochemical tests were also analysed via high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Results indicate that a-C films with CCr and C-Cr-N interlayers display superior corrosion resistance compared to undoped samples and those lacking an interlayer, with the lowest self-corrosion current density (i.e. 2.1 × 10−7 A/cm2, C-Cr-N interlayer) being nearly two orders of magnitude lower than that of the substrate (i.e. 1.1 × 10−5 A/cm2). The doped C-Cr-N interlayer plays a vital role in the corrosion resistance of the samples by accelerating oxidation of surface defect locations, inhibiting the continuous penetration of electrolyte, and improving corrosion resistance. Additionally, a-C films with a C-Cr-N interlayer exhibited an outstanding interface contact resistance (ICR) value (~3.5 mΩ/cm2) than that with a CrN interlayer (~30 mΩ/cm2) or the 316L substrate (~100 mΩ/cm2) at a typical contact pressure of 1.5 MPa. All 4 films demonstrate obviously improved hydrophobicity (contact angles against distilled water under room temperature up to 94.2°) compared to the substrate (75.8° under identical condition). In a word, this study proves that the strategy of inserting an appropriately designed interlayer (with the ternary C-Cr-N being most promising) to a-C films could alter and enhance the anti-corrosion, ICR and hydrophobic properties of 316L, proposing valuable solutions for high-performance bipolar plates (BPs) in the PEMFC industry.