Photoelectrochemical properties of iron-cobalt WTiO2 nanotube photoanodes for water splitting and photocathodic protection of stainless steel

• Published in: Journal of electroanalytical chemistry (Lausanne, Switzerland) Vol. 832; pp. 7 - 23
• Main Authors: Momeni, Mohamad Mohsen, Mahvari, Mina, Ghayeb, Yousef
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01-01-2019; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Anodizing baths; Cathodic protection; Cobalt; Corrosion effects; Corrosion inhibitors; Corrosion prevention; Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy; Energy transmission; Field emission microscopy; Hydrogen production; Microscopy; Morphology; Nanotubes; Open circuit voltage; Organic chemistry; Photoanodes; Photocatalysis; Photocathodic protection; Photoelectric effect; Photoelectrochemical; Protective coatings; Raman spectroscopy; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrum analysis; Stainless steel; Stainless steels; Substrates; Transmission electron microscopy; Water splitting; WTiO2 nanotube; X-ray diffraction; WTiO2 nanotube; Photocathodic protection; Film; Photoelectrochemical
• ISSN: 1572-6657; 1873-2569
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2018.10.035

Iron-cobalt WTiO2 nanotube (WTNTs) films deposited on titanium substrate have been applied as photoanodes in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for hydrogen production and cathodic protection. Anodization process followed by the chemical bath deposition technique has been used to prepare the samples in this work. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Raman spectroscopy has been used to characterize the morphology and structure of the prepared samples. In addition, the cobalt/iron ratio impact on the photocatalytic behavior of the co-deposited WTNTs photoelectrodes in PEC water splitting and cathodic protection has been studied. The best photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity and cathodic protection were shown by the WT2 photoelectrode in comparison with other samples. Moreover, superior photochemical stability was shown by the synthetic samples even after four runs in the photocatalytic test. The photocathodic protection effect and anti-corrosion properties of the samples were evaluated by measuring photo induced open circuit potential, photocurrent density and Tafel curves under visible light. These photoanodes are promising corrosion inhibitors for 403 stainless steel, according to the results.
•Anodization and chemical bath deposition methods have been applied in the synthesis of iron-cobalt co-deposited WTNTs.•PEC water splitting by iron-cobalt deposited WTNTs is bigger than that of pure WTNTs.•A more efficient photocathodic protection for 403 stainless steel is provided by the iron-cobalt deposited WTNTs films.