Robust Transparent Titanium Dioxide Coating Based on the AACVD Process for Anticorrosion Marine Exploration

Transparent and robust titanium dioxide (TiO₂) coatings were prepared by the facile aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) method. The effects of deposition temperature and precursor concentration on the crystal growth and optical properties of TiO₂ coating were investigated. It is found that the obtained TiO₂ coating has strong adhesion to the substrate, which can effectively avoid mechanical scratches and wear by sharp objects, adhesive tape and steel wool. Besides, in the marine corrosion protection test, both the open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance of TiO₂ coating immersed in artificial seawater for different times are greater than those of the bare S420 steel substrate. Particularly, the high-frequency phase angle of the TiO₂ coating increases, and the impedance value at low frequency of 0.10 Hz is about 2 orders of magnitude higher than that of the bare S420 substrate. In addition, the significant decrease of corrosion products on the surface further proves that the deposited TiO₂ coating exhibits better corrosion inhibition and excellent anticorrosion properties, which is expected in application of the surface coating protection of the marine exploration lens.