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- carbon nanofibers, platinum electrodeposition, ele ctrochemical surface area (1)
- Cavitation; Corrosion; Laser remelting; Self-fluxing alloys; Stellite 6 (1)
- PEM fuel cell electrocatalysts, Carbon nanofibers, Oxygen plasma activation, Pulsed electroplating. (1)
- Stellite 6; HVOF-spraying; Laser remelting; Cavitation erosion; Coatings (1)
- carbon nanofibers, platinum electrodeposition, electrocatalysts (1)
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Optimization of the laser remelting process for HVOF-sprayed Stellite 6 wear resistant coatings
(2016)
Cobalt base alloys are used in all industrial areas due to their excellent wear resistance. Several studies have shown that Stellite 6 coatings are suitable not only for protection against sliding wear, but also in case of exposure to impact loading. In this respect, a possible application is the protection of hydropower plant components affected by cavitation. The main problem in connection with Stellite 6 is the deposition procedure of the protective layers, both welding and thermal spraying techniques requesting special measures in order to prevent the brittleness of the coating. In this study, Stellite 6 layers were HVOF thermally sprayed on a martensitic 13-4 stainless steel substrate, as usually used for hydraulic machinery components. In order to improve the microstructure of the HVOF-sprayed coatings and their adhesion to the substrate, laser remelting was applied, using a TRUMPF Laser type HL 124P LCU and different working parameters. The microstructure of the coatings, obtained for various remelting conditions, was evaluated by light microscopy, showing the optimal value of the pulse power, which provided a homogenous Stellite 6 layer with good adhesion to the substrate.
This paper aims to compare cobalt-based (type Stellite 6) and nickel-based self-fluxing alloys (type NiCrBSiMo) regarding both their cavitation erosion resistance and corrosion resistance. The two types of protective layers were thermally sprayed onto a substrate of martensitic stainless steel. In order to improve the layers' characteristics and their metallurgical bonding to the substrate, the Stellite 6 coating was laser remelted, while the NiCrBSiMo coating was treated by flame fusion. The cavitation erosion resistance of the two materials was evaluated by measurements of the mean depth of erosion developed during a testing period of 165 minutes, using a 20 kHz ultrasonic vibrator at a peak-to-peak amplitude of 50 μm. In addition, the corrosion resistance of the layers was assessed by potentiodynamic corrosion tests carried out in H2SO4 + NaCl solution at room temperature, using calomel as reference electrode. In order to highlight the differences regarding the behaviour of the two protective materials, the authors also carried out microstructural investigations of the layers before and after exposure to cavitation and corrosion. The investigations showed that both types of layers can provide improved protection of the martensitic stainless steel substrate against cavitation, whilst the NiCrBSiMo coating additionally confers significantly increased resistance to corrosion.
Carbon Nanofibers (CNF) are considered to be a promising catalyst support material due to their unique characteristics, excellent mechanical, electrical and structural properties, high surface area and nevertheless, good interaction with metallic catalyst particles. The possibility of preparing CNF decorated with platinum by an electrochemical method was tested, using a hexachloroplatinic bath solution. The experiments were carried out with the aid of a Potentiostat/Galvanostat Ivium Technologies Vertex, in a three – electrode cell. The aim of the present work was to determine the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the CNF-Pt catalysts in relation to the functionalization treatment of fibers, using an electrochemical method. ECSA for different functionalized CNF-Pt catalysts was determined by cyclic voltammetry in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution. The highest active surface of platinum was obtained for the samples with CNF functionalized by plasma treatment using 80 W for 1800 s. The obtained results correlate very well with the particles size and distribution of platinum, revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the quantity of deposited platinum determined by thermo gravimetrical analysis (TGA) respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) has been proven to be a suitable method for estimation of the ECSA of the electrocatalysts.
In the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) state of the art, rare and expensive platinum group metals (PGM) or PGM alloys are used as catalyst material. Reduction of PGMs in PEMFC electrodes is strongly required to reach cost targets for this technology. An optimal catalyst utilization is achieved in case of nano-structured particles supported on carbon material with a large specific surface area. In this study, graphitic material, in form of carbon nanofibers (CNF), is decorated with Pt particles, serving as catalyst material for PEMFC electrodes with low Pt loading. As a novelty, the effect of oxygen plasma treatment of CNFs previously to platinum particle deposition has been studied. Electrodes are investigated in respect of the optimal morphology, microstructure as well as electrochemical properties. Therefore, samples are characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetry, X-ray diffraction as well as X-ray fluorescence analysis. In order to determine the electrochemical active surface area of catalyst particles, cyclic voltammetry has been performed in 0.5 M sulphuric acid. Selected samples have been investigated in a PEMFC test bench according to their polarization behavior.
In this experimental work polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) electrodes are analysed, which are prepared by the use of two sorts of carbon nano fibres (CNF) serving as support material for platinum nano particles. Those CNFs, which are heat treated subsequently to their production, have a higher graphitisation degree than fibres as produced. The improved graphitisation degree leads to higher electrical conductivity, which is favourably for the use in PEMFC electrodes. Samples have been analysed, in order to determine graphitisation degree, electrical conductivity, as well as morphology and loading of the prepared electro catalyst. Membrane electrode assemblies manufactured from prepared electrodes are analysed in-situ in a PEM fuel cell test environment. It has been determined that power output for samples containing CNFs with higher graphitisation degree is increased by about 13.5%.
Platinum nanoparticles electrodeposition on carbon nanofibers (CNF) support has been performed with the purpose to obtain electrodes that can be further used especially in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). A pretreatment of CNF is required in order to enhance the surface energy, which simultaneously improves handling and wettability as well as interaction with the platinum cations. This step was performed using oxygen plasma functionalization. To produce CNF supported Pt catalysts, an electrochemical method was applied and the deposition parameters were adjusted to obtain nanosized platinum particles with a good distribution onto the graphitic surface. The morphology and structure of the obtained particles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy. The amount of deposited platinum was established using thermogravimetrical measurements. Cyclic voltammetry performed in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution was applied for determining the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the obtained electrodes.The functionalization degree of the CNF outer surface has a strong influence on the structure, distribution and amount of platinum particles. Moreover, the current densities, which were set for the deposition process influenced not only the particles size but also the platinum amount. Applying an oxygen plasma treatment of 80 W for 1800 s, the necessary degree of surface functionalization is achieved in order to deposit the catalyst particles. The best electrodes were prepared using a current density of 50 mA cm-2 during the deposition process that leads to a homogenous platinum distribution with particles size under 80 nm and ECSA over 6 cm2