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How to improve the durability of niobium-titanium alloys in fuel cells through surface treatment technology

The durability of niobium-titanium alloys in fuel cells can be significantly improved through a variety of surface treatment technologies, which mainly focus on enhancing their corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity to meet the long-term operation needs of fuel cells.

Surface treatment technology
1. Electroplating and chemical plating:
• Form a corrosion-resistant conductive coating on the surface of niobium-titanium alloy through electroplating or chemical plating. This coating can effectively isolate the niobium-titanium alloy matrix from direct contact with the electrolyte, thereby improving corrosion resistance. However, the limitation of this method is that the coating may peel off after long-term operation, causing the niobium-titanium alloy substrate to be exposed to a corrosive environment.

2. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD):
• PVD technology can be used to deposit thin films, such as carbon-based coatings or nitride coatings, on the surface of niobium-titanium alloys. These coatings not only increase corrosion resistance but also improve electrical conductivity. Research shows that PVD-treated niobium-titanium alloy bipolar plates exhibit excellent stability under high temperatures and acidic environments.

3. Plasma treatment:
• Techniques such as plasma nitriding can be used to improve the surface properties of niobium-titanium alloys. Through this treatment, the hardness and wear resistance of the surface can be enhanced, while its corrosion resistance can be improved. This method is often combined with a polishing process to ensure a smooth surface, further improving its performance.

4. Multi-layer composite coating:
• The use of multi-layer composite coating technology, such as titanium-palladium carbon film, can significantly enhance the overall performance of bipolar plates. By depositing multiple layers of materials on the surface of niobium-titanium alloys, better resistance to pitting corrosion and electrical conductivity can be achieved, which is crucial for the long-term operation of fuel cells.

Effects and Applications
• Through the above-mentioned surface treatment technology, the durability of niobium-titanium alloy has been significantly improved, allowing it to better resist corrosion and wear and extend its service life in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. These improvements make niobium-titanium alloy an ideal choice for bipolar plate materials in fields such as new energy vehicles, which can meet the requirements of high power and long-term operation.

In summary, through appropriate surface treatment technology, the durability of niobium-titanium alloys in fuel cells can be effectively improved, thereby improving its overall performance and application value.