Atmospheric Plasma Treatment for Fuel Cell Separator Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for improving the conductivity of stainless steel fuel cell separators are hindered by the formation of passive films, which reduce conductivity and adhesion of surface coatings, despite efforts to remove these films.
Innovation Solution
Atmospheric pressure plasma treatment using a titanium-containing starting material solution under a nitrogen-rich atmosphere is employed to form a conductive titanium oxide film on stainless steel, preventing natural oxidation and enhancing adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stainless steel is used as fuel cell separator material, then corrosion resistance is improved, but conductivity deteriorates due to passive film formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful passive film from the stainless steel surface through acid treatment, extracting the oxide layer that causes low conductivity. This allows the base metal's inherent conductivity to be exposed while maintaining the stainless steel's corrosion resistance properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite surface structure by forming a chromium oxide layer after passive film removal. This composite structure combines the conductivity benefits of exposed metal surface with the protection of a controlled oxide layer, achieving both improved conductivity and maintained corrosion resistance.
2Loss of energy
If passive film is removed to improve conductivity, then adhesion of surface coating deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs acid treatment to remove the passive film as a preliminary step before applying surface coatings. By removing the passive film in advance, the coating can be applied directly to the active metal surface, ensuring strong adhesion while maintaining high conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different surface zones with different properties: the acid-treated area provides high conductivity and coating adhesion, while the bulk material maintains its corrosion-resistant passive film structure. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of conductivity and adhesion requirements.
3Loss of energy
If surface treatment is applied to improve conductivity, then manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the natural tendency of chromium in stainless steel to form oxide layers. After acid treatment removes the passive film, the chromium in the stainless steel automatically forms a new chromium oxide layer through exposure to oxygen, eliminating the need for additional coating processes or complex equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical environment parameters during processing - using acid treatment to remove the passive film and controlling oxygen exposure to form the desired chromium oxide layer. These parameter changes achieve conductivity improvement through simple chemical means rather than complex physical processes.
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
This method significantly improves the conductivity and adhesion of the surface coating on stainless steel fuel cell separators, ensuring high performance without passive film formation due to natural oxidation.
Implementation Method 1
Atmospheric pressure plasma treatment using a titanium-containing starting material solution
Implementation Method 2
atmospheric pressure plasma treatment using first spraying means for spraying a titanium-containing starting material solution
Implementation Method 3
under a nitrogen-rich atmosphere is employed to form a conductive titanium oxide film on stainless steel, preventing natural oxidation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method for producing a fuel cell separator, including: a preparation step of preparing a metallic base material having a passive film on at least one part of a surface thereof; and a titanium oxide film formation step of subjecting the surface of the metallic base material to atmospheric pressure plasma treatment using first spraying means for spraying a titanium-containing starting material solution together with argon gas under a 85% to 92.5% by volume nitrogen atmosphere in a chamber. The present disclosure also relates to a device for producing a fuel cell separator having: conveying means for conveying a metallic base material having a passive film on at least one part of a surface thereof; a treatment chamber in which the metallic base material conveyed by the conveying means is disposed so as to be capable of passing therein under a 85% to 92.5% by volume nitrogen atmosphere; and first spraying means for spraying a titanium-containing starting material solution together with argon gas to carry out atmospheric pressure plasma treatment, which is disposed in the passage direction of the metallic base material in the treatment chamber.