Doped ITO Nanofiber Electrode Plate Coating for Corrosion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bipolar plates for fuel cells and electrolyzers face challenges in achieving long-term stability, high electrical conductivity, and cost-effectiveness while providing adequate corrosion protection.
Innovation Solution
A layer system comprising a homogeneous, polycrystalline doped indium tin oxide (ITO) first coating and a top layer of ITO nanofibers, doped with various elements, is applied to the substrate. This layer system is formed using PVD, CVD, or PACVD processes, ensuring a structure that is both conductive and corrosion-resistant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If precious metal coatings are used to achieve high electrical conductivity and corrosion resistance, then performance is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive precious metal coatings with cost-effective metal oxide coatings containing common elements like In, Sn, Zn, Ga, and their combinations. These metal oxides provide comparable performance at significantly lower material costs, making the electrode plates economically viable for large-scale fuel cell production
2Reliability
If a dense metal oxide coating is applied to ensure corrosion protection, then corrosion resistance is improved, but surface area for electrochemical reactions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous or nanostructured metal oxide coatings that provide high surface area through their porous architecture while maintaining corrosion protection. The porous structure increases the electrochemically active surface area available for reactions without compromising the protective function of the coating
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The layer system demonstrates high long-term stability, excellent electrical conductivity, and effective corrosion protection, comparable to precious metal coatings, while being cost-effective and free of precious metals.
Implementation Method 1
The layer system is preferably formed by a PVD or a CVD process (PVD: physical vapor deposition; CVD: chemical vapor deposition)
Implementation Method 2
The layer system is preferably formed by a PVD or a CVD process (PVD: physical vapor deposition; CVD: chemical vapor deposition)
Implementation Method 3
The layer system is preferably formed by a PVD or a CVD process (PVD: physical vapor deposition; CVD: chemical vapor deposition) or a PACVD process (PACVD: plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a layer system (1) for coating of a substrate (2a) to form an electrode plate (2), comprising at least one coating (1a) of metal oxide, wherein the coating (1a) includes a homogeneous polycrystalline doped indium tin oxide layer, atop which is a polycrystalline doped indium tin oxide layer composed of a network of nanofibers (6), wherein the indium tin oxide is doped with at least one element from the group comprising carbon, nitrogen, boron, fluorine, hydrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, bromine, aluminium, silicon, titanium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, copper, zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, silver, antimony, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten. The invention further relates to an electrode plate comprising such a layer system, to a process for production thereof, and to a fuel cell, an electrolyzer or a redox flow cell comprising at least one such electrode plate.