Electrochemical and Structural Property of TiSiNb TFSOC on Affordable Interconnects in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Applications.

High cost and low electrochemical stability of the interconnection in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) in the presence of HSO are one of the main issues hindering the commercialization of these devices. This manuscript presents the utilization of cost-effective steel in an attempt to minimize the PEMFC interconnection costs with a thin-film solid oxide coating (TFSOC) providing sufficient corrosion resistance for efficient long-term operation. Novel TiSiNbO as TFSOC was deposited on the C45E steel as a metal interconnect utilizing a sol-gel process at various annealing temperatures.