Enhanced photocathodic protection performance of Fe2O3/TiO2 heterojunction for carbon steel under simulated solar light

Titanium dioxide nano array (TNAs) was successfully modified with Fe2O3 (FTNAs) to enhance the photocathodic protection performance for carbon steel. Fe2O3 as a sensitizer captures large quantities of light photons, resulting in a strong light harvest capability of FTNAs. Meanwhile, the bandgap of FTNAs decreased to 2.26 eV, and the photo-generated current densities were 90 and 400 mu A cm(-2) for TNAs and FTNAs under simulated solar light illumination, respectively. The narrowed bandgap and the sensitive photoelectric response together contribute to a good photocathodic protection performance of FTNAs, which was confirmed by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and electrochemical noise. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.