Modification of SiOC-based layers with cerium ions - influence on the structure, microstructure and corrosion resistance

Abstract

Amorphous silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) based materials are customarily called black glasses. In this work, hermetic layers on the steel substrate based on amorphous SiOC were obtained. The material was modified with cerium ions. Based on the literature, Ce as the modifier is responsible for i.e. enhancement of the corrosion resistance of materials and their antibacterial properties. SiCeOC coatings were produced via ceramization of the polymeric precursors synthesized by the sol-gel method and deposited on the metallic substrates with the use of the dip-coating technique. Numerous structural and microstructural studies were applied for the examination. It was proven that cerium is present in the material in the form of the inclusions and the material might be described as the SiOC/CeO2 composite. The surface properties such as roughness, wettability and surface free energy were also analyzed. Corrosion resistance tests were also conducted to establish the influence of the modification with cerium ions on the characteristics of the basal material. The results illustrated that a limited amount of the modifier enhanced corrosion resistance of black glasses without changes in their structure. However, the modification does not promote Ce ion release and the antibacterial tests showed the materials do not possess antibacterial properties.