Preparation of Ni-Pt/Fe-TiO2 nanotube films for photoelectrochemical cathodic protection of 403 stainless steel.

Iron-doped TiO2 nanotubes (Fe-TNTs) were prepared by a one step anodization method. Nickel-platinum was then deposited on the surface of these Fe-TNTs samples by an electroless process during different time periods. SEM, XRD and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy was used to study the surface morphologies, composition and optical properties of the synthetic samples. In addition, the impact of coupling the samples prepared with 403 stainless steel on the corrosion of metal under illumination was studied. The corrosion behavior was studied by electrochemical techniques (choronoamperometery, open circuit potential and Tafel). The photocathodic protection was remarkably enhanced by Ni-Pt deposition on the Fe-TNTs photoanodes, as clearly indicated by the results.