Abstract: The invention relates to a carbon-based coating (2) which as well as carbon as principal ingredient has at least one first element selected from a group consisting of the transition metals from groups 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, the carbon in the coaling (2) being present predominantly in sp2-hybridized form, and the coating (2) comprising at least one further element from a group encompassing silicon, germanium, aluminum, and the transition metals from groups 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, with the proviso that said at least one further element is not the same as the first element, and the cumulative fraction of said at least one further element in the coating (2) is between 0.1 at % and 5 at %, and the cumulative fraction of said at least one first element is between 0.5 at % and 10 at %.

Abstract: The invention relates to an article, such as a plate for a use in a fuel cell, which has a base onto which a coating is applied which is electrically conductive and which includes a substantially carbon material layer and at least one intermediate layer which can be a nitride, carbide, metal and metal alloy. The multilayer coating which is formed allows the protection of the article in an efficient and effective manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carbon-based coating (2) which as well as carbon as principal ingredient has at least one first element selected from a group consisting of the transition metals from groups 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, the carbon in the coating (2) being present predominantly in sp2-hybridized form, and the coating (2) comprising at least one further element from a group encompassing silicon, germanium, aluminum, and the transition metals from groups 3 to 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, with the proviso that said at least one further element is not the same as the first element, and the cumulative fraction of said at least one further element in the coating (2) is between 0.1 at % and 5 at %, and the cumulative fraction of said at least one first element is between 0.5 at % and 10 at %.