IMPROVEMENT IN CORROSION RESISTANCE OF STAINLESS STEEL FOIL BY GRAPHENE COATING USING THERMAL CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION

This paper demonstrates the growth of graphene on stainless steel foil by thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Raman spectroscopy confirms that the few-layer graphene with very low deflect can be grown on stainless steel foil. Scanning electron microscope presents that the surface roughness obviously increases after graphene grows on stainless steel resulting in increase in surface area. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy reveals that there is no oxygen on the graphene surface leading to an increase in its electrical conductivity. The results of the electrochemical test indicate that the growth of graphene on stainless steel can increase corrosion resistance and restrain the formation of passive layer which reduces fuel cell efficiency. Four-point probe measurement confirms that the growth of graphene can also considerably reduce the electrical resistance of stainless steel.