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

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Engineering
• Corrosion Science

Background:

• Developing durable and protective coatings is crucial for extending the lifespan of materials in harsh environments.
• Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a promising material for surface coatings due to its unique optical and chemical properties.
• Existing coating methods may not offer sufficient adhesion or corrosion resistance for demanding applications like marine exploration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare transparent and robust titanium dioxide (TiO2) coatings using the aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) method.
• To investigate the influence of deposition temperature and precursor concentration on TiO2 coating properties.
• To evaluate the mechanical robustness and marine corrosion protection performance of the prepared TiO2 coatings.

Main Methods:

• Aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) was employed to synthesize TiO2 coatings.
• Systematic variation of deposition temperature and precursor concentration.
• Mechanical scratch and wear tests were conducted.
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and open circuit potential (OCP) measurements were performed in artificial seawater.

Main Results:

• The TiO2 coatings exhibited strong adhesion, resisting scratches from sharp objects, adhesive tape, and steel wool.
• Electrochemical tests showed significantly higher open circuit potential and impedance for TiO2-coated S420 steel compared to the bare substrate in artificial seawater.
• The impedance at low frequency (0.10 Hz) was approximately two orders of magnitude higher for the coated substrate, indicating superior corrosion inhibition.

Conclusions:

• The facile AACVD method successfully produced transparent and robust TiO2 coatings with excellent mechanical properties.
• The TiO2 coatings demonstrated superior anticorrosion performance in marine environments, significantly reducing corrosion products.
• These findings highlight the potential of TiO2 coatings for protecting marine exploration lenses and other critical surfaces.