Corrosion-resistant coating for cathode current collector and wet-seal area of molten carbonate fuel cells

High-temperature corrosion of metallic bipolar plates is a main problem to limit system reliability of molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). In particular, cathode current collector (CCC) and wet-seal area in the bipolar plates suffer severe corrosion during MCFCs operation. Herein, we are trying to explore facile and cost-effective coating materials and methods to enhance corrosion resistance of CCC and wet-seal area of MCFCs. Cobalt (Co) layer was coated by using electrodeposition method for CCC, and aluminum (Al) layer was coated by using mechanical cladding method for wet-seal area. Co and Al layers were transformed into in-situ lithiated oxides, which are LiCoO₂ and LiAlO₂, by reacting with electrolytes without detachment. These in-situ formed oxides efficiently impede formation and growth of corrosion scales by preventing permeation of electrolytes. We believe that Co electrodeposition and Al cladding would be suitable and practical methods for making protective layers to enhance corrosion resistance of CCC and wet-seal area in the MCFCs bipolar plates.