Corrosion protection studies of CeO2–TiO2 nanocomposite coatings on mild steel

Abstract

Nanocomposite coatings have evolved as corrosion-resistant materials to protect metals and alloys in various environments. The need for development of corrosion-resistant materials for mild steel in marine environment is still in demand. The CeO2–TiO2 nanocomposite powders were produced via hydrothermal synthesis and the corrosion resistance behaviour of the nanocomposite coatings were evaluated in 3.5% NaCl solution using Tafel polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. The trends of open-circuit potential curves provided clear evidence that the incorporation of CeO2 in TiO2 nanostructures is beneficial, as it introduces potential shift towards noble positive potential for nanocomposite coatings. Also, the corrosion resistance was enhanced with increase in the CeO2 content in TiO2 nanocomposite coatings. Almost 22 times decrease in the corrosion current densities of mild steel were attained for 15 wt-% CeO2–TiO2, which demonstrated the advantage of CeO2–TiO2 nanocomposite coatings for corrosion protection of mild steel.