The enhanced passivation of 316L stainless steel in a simulated fuel cell environment by surface plating with palladium

A thin layer of Pd deposition on the surface significantly improves the corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel in 0.5 mol L-1 H2SO4 + 2 ppm F- solution at 80 degrees C. Compared with the air-formed passive film, the passive film formed in the stainless steel/Pd couple contains more Cr, Cr(OH)(3) and Fe3O4 and less point defects, which provides better protection to the stainless steel substrate. The interfacial contact resistance of the stainless steel surface is also decreased. The Pd plated stainless steel is a potential material for bipolar plates in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.