Fabrication of protective KB/PVdF composite films on stainless steel substrates for PEFCs through electrophoretic deposition

Abstract

The electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique was employed to fabricate Ketjen black/polyvinylidene fluorid (KB/PVdF) composite films on stainless steel substrates. The preparing procedure of stable suspensions for EPD and its effects on the quality and properties of the composite films were studied. The results revealed that the synthesis of composite particles with a proper KB/PVdF ratio and their homogeneous distribution in the suspensions was a prerequisite to obtain uniform green coatings. The stainless steel substrates coated with KB/PVdF composites exhibited both high electrical conductivity and good corrosion resistance, suggesting the possibility that they serve as the bipolar plates in PEM fuel cells.