CORROSION-RESISTANT OXIDE FILMS AND APPLICATION FOR FUEL CELL BIPOLAR PLATE

Corrosion-resistant oxide films for use with proton exchange membrane fuel cells are described. Bipolar plates of proton exchange membrane fuel cells are subject to highly-acidic environments that can degrade the bulk material and associated properties of the bipolar plate leading to reduced proton exchange membrane fuel cell lifetimes. Materials, structures, and techniques for increasing the corrosion resistance of bipolar plates are disclosed. Such materials include substrates having a surface portion, which includes an FeOoxide layer having (), (), or () FeOsurface facets configured to impart corrosion-resistance properties to the substrate.