Electrochemical study on the effect of hydrogen on the passive film of selective laser melted 316L stainless steel in a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer environment

The effect of hydrogen on the passivation behavior and electrochemical characteristics of selective laser melted (SLMed) 316L stainless steel in a simulated anode environment for a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE) was studied. The results indicate that hydrogen charged into the sample increased the ratio of superficial Fe2+/Fe3+ and OH-/ O2-, increased the concentration of point defects, reduced the film thickness, and weak-ened its protective effect. The film near 0.6 VSCE showed n-type semiconductor behavior. Hydrogen charging resulted in a higher defect density and thinner space charge layer in the film, which promoted the invasion of aggressive ions.(c) 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The effect of hydrogen on the passivation behavior and electrochemical characteristics of selective laser melted 316L stainless steel in a simulated anode environment for a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer was investigated. The results showed that hydrogen charging increased the ratio of superficial Fe2+/Fe3+ and OH-/O2-, as well as the concentration of point defects, while reducing the film thickness and weakening its protective effect. The film exhibited n-type semiconductor behavior near 0.6 VSCE, and hydrogen charging led to a higher defect density and thinner space charge layer, promoting the invasion of aggressive ions.