Performance of SS304 Modified by Silver Micro/Nano-Dendrite Coating with Hot-Water Super-Repellency in Simulated PEMFC Cathode Environment

In this study, an silver (Ag) plating with micro/nano-dendrite structures is prepared on the 304 stainless steel (SS304) surface by potentiostatic deposition (Ag/SS304). After being modified by n-dodecyl mercaptan (NDM) with the low surface energy, the obtained sample (NDM@Ag/SS304) exhibits stable superhydrophobicity and excellent hot-water repellency. The surface morphology and composition of NDM@Ag/SS304 are analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray spectrometer (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer (XPS) characterization. The electrochemical measurements, tests of water contact angle (WCA), and interfacial contact resistance (ICR) are employed to systematically study the performance of the NDM@Ag/SS304 in the simulated cathode environment of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The results show that the NDM@Ag/SS304 has high corrosion potential (similar to 0.25 V) and low corrosion current density (similar to 4.04 mu A/cm(2)); after potentiostatic polarization (0.6 V, 5 h), the NDM@Ag/SS304 also shows high superhydrophobic stability.

Automated summary

In this study, a silver plating with micro/nano-dendrite structures was prepared on the surface of 304 stainless steel using potentiostatic deposition. The surface was modified with n-dodecyl mercaptan, resulting in stable superhydrophobicity and excellent hot-water repellency. The performance of this modified surface in a simulated cathode environment of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell was systematically studied.