Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fabrication of NbN-Coated Porous Titanium Sheets for PEM Electrolyzers

  • Published:
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Porous titanium sheets are attractive for application as the porous transport layer (PTL) for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolyzers. However, the titanium passivation increases its surface contact resistance, deteriorating the electrolyzer performance. A solution for long-term operation has been to coat titanium-based PTLs with platinum or gold, which considerably increases PEM electrolyzer costs. To overcome this limitation, a NbN coating is proposed as an alternative to decrease materials costs while avoiding titanium surface oxidation. Therefore, porous titanium sheets of ca. 250 μm were powder metallurgically produced by tape casting and then sputter-coated with a NbN thin film. A systematic investigation of NbN film deposition on porous titanium sheets by reactive magnetron sputtering was undertaken. Coating microstructure and constitution were evaluated before and after electrochemical characterization. First electrochemical characterizations throughout cyclic voltammetry and potentiodynamic polarization curves demonstrate that the addition of NbN coatings decreases titanium surface oxidation and improves electrochemical performance of the porous titanium sheets. These results indicated that NbN-coated PTLs are promising candidates for PEM electrolyzer application.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A.W. Jason Marcinkoski, Spendelow Jacob, D. Papageorgopoulos, “DOE Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program Record,” 2015. [Online]. https://www.hydrogen.energy.gov/pdfs/15015_fuel_cell_system_cost_2015.pdf.

  2. M. Carmo, D.L. Fritz, J. Mergel, and D. Stolten, A Comprehensive Review on PEM Water Electrolysis, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2013, 38, p 4901–4934

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. S.A. Grigoriev, V.I. Porembsky, and V.N. Fateev, Pure Hydrogen Production by PEM Electrolysis for Hydrogen Energy, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2006, 31, p 171–175

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. S. Grigoriev, P. Millet, S. Volobuev, and V. Fateev, Optimization of Porous Current Collectors for PEM Water Electrolysers, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2009, 34(11), p 4968–4973

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. J.O. Majasan, F. Iacoviello, J.I.S. Cho, M. Maier, X. Lu, T.P. Neville, I. Dedigama, P.R. Shearing, and D.J.L. Brett, Correlative Study of Microstructure and Performance for Porous Transport Layers in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysers by X-ray Computed Tomography and Electrochemical Characterization, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2019, 44(36), p 19519–19532

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. F.J. Hackemüller, E. Borgardt, O. Panchenko, M. Müller, and M. Bram, Manufacturing of Large-Scale Titanium-Based Porous Transport Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysis by Tape Casting, Adv. Eng. Mater., 2019, 21, p 1801201

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. P. Lettenmeier, S. Kolb, N. Sata, A. Fallisch, L. Zielke, S. Thiele, A.S. Gago, and K.A. Friedrich, Comprehensive Investigation of Novel Pore-Graded Gas Diffusion Layers for High-Performance and Cost-Effective Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzers, Energy Environ. Sci., 2017, 10, p 2521–2533

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. E.T. Ojong, J.T.H. Kwan, A. Nouri-Khorasani, A. Bonakdarpour, D.P. Wilkinson, and T. Smolinka, Development of an Experimentally Validated Semiempirical Fully-Coupled Performance Model of a PEM Electrolysis Cell with a 3-D Structured Porous Transport Layer, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2017, 42, p 25831–25847

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. J. Mo, Z. Kang, G. Yang, S.T. Retterer, D.A. Cullen, T.J. Toops, J.B. Green, Jr., and F.-Y. Zhang, Thin Liquid/Gas Diffusion Layers for High-Efficiency Hydrogen Production from Water Splitting, Appl Energy, 2016, 177, p 817–822

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. J. Garcia-Navarro, M. Schulze, and K. Friedrich, Understanding the Role of Water Flow and the Porous Transport Layer on the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers, ACS Sustain Chem Eng, 2019, 7(1), p 1600–1610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. J. Mo, R.R. Dehoff, W.H. Peter, and T.J. Toops, Additive Manufacturing of Liquid/Gas Diffusion Layers for Low-Cost and High-Efficiency Hydrogen Production, Int. J. Hydrogen Energy, 2016, 41, p 3128–3135

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Z. Kang, J. Mo, G. Yang, S.T. Retterer, D.A. Cullen, T.J. Toops, J.B. Green, Jr., and F.-Y. Zhang, Investigation of Thin/Well-Tunable Liquid/Gas Diffusion Layers Exhibiting Superior Multifunctional Performance in Low-Temperature Electrolytic Water Splitting, Energy Environ Sci, 2017, 10(1), p 166–175

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. E. Borgardt, O. Panchenko, F.J. Hackemüller, J. Giffina, M. Bram, M. Müller, W. Lehnert, and D. Stolten, Mechanical Characterization and Durability of Sintered Porous Transport Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Electrolysis, J. Power Sources, 2018, 374, p 84–91

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. T. Bystron, M. Vesely, M. Paidar, G. Papakonstantinou, K. Sundmacher, and B. Bensmann, Enhancing PEM Water Electrolysis Efficiency by Reducing the Extent of Ti Gas Diffusion Layer Passivation, J. Appl. Electrochem., 2018, 48, p 713–723

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. C. Rakousky, U. Reimer, K. Wippermann, M. Carmo, W. Lueke, and D. Stolten, An Analysis of Degradation Phenomena in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysis, J. Power Sources, 2006, 326, p 120–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. C. Rakousky, G.P. Keeley, K. Wippermann, M. Carmo, and D. Stolten, The Stability Challenge on the Pathway to High-Current-Density Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzers, Electrochim. Acta, 2018, 278, p 324–331

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. C. Liu, M. Carmo, G. Bender, A. Everwand, T. Lickert, J.L. Young, T. Smolinka, D. Stolten, and W. Lehnert, Performance Enhancement of PEM Electrolyzers Through Iridium-Coated Titanium Porous Transport Layers, Electrochem. Commun., 2018, 97, p 96

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. H.S. Choi, D.H. Han, W.H. Hong, and J.J. Lee (Titanium, chromium) nitride Coatings for Bipolar Plate of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell, J. Power Sources, 2009, 189(2), p 966–971

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. M. Li, S. Luo, C. Zeng, J. Shen, H. Lin, and C. Cao, Corrosion Behavior of TiN Coated Type 316 Stainless Steel in Simulated PEMFC Environments, Corros. Sci., 2004, 46(6), p 1369–1380

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. L. Wang, J. Sun, J. Sun, Y. Lv, S. Li, S. Ji, and Z. Wen, Niobium Nitride Modified AISI, 304 Stainless Steel Bipolar Plate for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell, J. Power Sources, 2012, 199, p 195–200

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. K. Havey, J. Zabinski, and S. Walck, The Chemistry, Structure, and Resulting Wear Properties of Magnetron-Sputtered NbN Thin Films, Thin Solid Films, 1997, 303(1–2), p 238–245

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. J.J. Olaya, S.E. Rodil, and S. Muhl, Comparative Study of Niobium Nitride Coatings Deposited by Unbalanced and Balanced Magnetron Sputtering, Thin Solid Film, 2008, 516(23), p 8319–8326

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. M. Larsson, P. Hollman, P. Hedenqvist, S. Hogmark, U. Wahlström, and L.M. Hultman, Deposition and Microstructure of PVD TiN-NbN Multilayered Coatings by Combined Reactive Electron Beam Evaporation and DC Sputtering, Surface Coat Tech, 1996, 286–87, p 351–356

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. A. Nigro, G. Nobile, M. Rubino, and R. Vaglio, Electrical Resistivity Of Polycrystalline Niobium Nitride Films, Phys Rev B, 1988, 37(8), p 3970–3972

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. N.D. Tomashov, G.P. Chernova, Y.S. Ruscol, and G.A. Ayuyan, The Passivation of Alloys on Titanium Bases, Electrochim. Acta, 1974, 19(4), p 159–172

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. A. Yildiz, S.B. Lisesivdin, M. Kasap, and D. Mardare, Electrical properties of TiO2 thin films, J Non-Crystalline Solids, 2008, 354, p 4944–4947

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. C. Nico, T. Monteiro, and M.P.F. Graça, Niobium Oxides and Niobates Physical Properties: Review and Prospects, Prog. Mater Sci., 2016, 80, p 1–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. F. Tietz, H.P. Buchkremer, and D. Stöver, Components Manufacturing for Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Solid State Ionics, 2002, 373–381, p 152–153

    Google Scholar 

  29. A. D. Schneider,, Formação de texturas cristalográficas em filmes finos de NbN (MSc thesis), Graduate program in physics, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 2017 (in Portuguese). https://repositorio.ufsm.br/handle/1/13950

  30. Z. Han, X. Hu, J. Tian, G. Li, and G. Mingyuan, Magnetron Sputtered NbN Thin Films and Mechanical Properties, Surf Coat Techn, 2004, 179(2–3), p 188–192

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. X.-K. Du, T.-M. Wang, C. Wang, B.-L. Chen, and L. Zhou, Microstructure and Optical Characterization of Magnetron Sputtered NbN Thin Films, Chin J Aeronaut, 2007, 20(2), p 140–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. C.-Y. Tsao, J.W. Weber, P. Campbell, P.I. Widenborg, D. Song, and M.A. Green, Low-Temperature Growth of Polycrystalline Ge Thin Film on Glass by in Situ Deposition and Ex Situ Solid-Phase Crystallization for Photovoltaic Applications, Appl. Surf. Sci., 2009, 255(15), p 7028–7035

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. M. Fenker, M. Balzer, R.V. Büchi, H.A. Jehn, H. Kappl, and J.-J. Lee, Deposition of NbN Thin Films Onto High-Speed Steel Using Reactive Magnetron Sputtering for Corrosion Protective Applications, Surf Coat Tech, 2003, 163164, p 169–175

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. E. Arslan, Structural, Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of NbN Films Deposited using dc and Pulsed Dc Reactive Magnetron Sputtering, Surf. Eng., 2010, 26(8), p 615–619

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This study was partially funded by the Funding Agency of the Brazilian Ministry of Education (CAPES)—Finance Code 001. L.S. Dorneles acknowledges the support from CNPq under grant 302950/2017-6. The authors also thank F.J. Hackemüller and Dr. M. Bram from the Institute of Climate and Energy Research (IEK-1), the Forschungszentrum Jülich, for the support with tape casting manufacturing and Prof. Dr. L.O. Bulhões from Universidade Franciscana (UFN) for the support with the electrochemical analyses.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grupo de Pesquisa em Tecnologia e Mecânica dos Materiais (GMat), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technology Center, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

    N. F. Daudt, E. R. Arnemann & C. J. Scheuer

  2. Laboratório de Magnetismo e Materiais Magnéticos (LMMM), Department of Physics, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

    A. D. Schneider, L. S. Dorneles & L. F. Schelp

Authors
  1. N. F. Daudt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. D. Schneider
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. E. R. Arnemann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. J. Scheuer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. L. S. Dorneles
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. L. F. Schelp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. F. Daudt.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Daudt, N.F., Schneider, A.D., Arnemann, E.R. et al. Fabrication of NbN-Coated Porous Titanium Sheets for PEM Electrolyzers. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 29, 5174–5183 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-020-05026-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-020-05026-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation