Fabrication of CdSe/ZnIn2S4 modified TiO2 nanotube composite and its application in photoelectrochemical cathodic protection

In order to obtain a TiO2 nanocomposite film with enhanced photoelectrochemical properties for corrosion protection of metals, a TiO2 nanotube film was fabricated on a Ti substrate via anodization, then ZnIn2S4 nanosheets and CdSe nanoparticles were sequentially deposited on the TiO2 film by hydrothermal treatment and electrodeposition, respectively. The CdSe/ZnIn2S4 co-modified TiO2 heterostructured nanocomposite film showed remarkably enhanced visible light absorption and photoelectrochemical properties. Under white light irradiation, the photocurrent density of the nanocomposite film in the mixed solution with 0.1 M Na2S and 0.1 M Na2SO3 was 33 times higher than that of the TiO2 film. The nanocomposite could negatively shift the potential of the coupled 403 stainless steel immersed in a 0.5 M NaCl solution by 440 mV, showing efficient photoelectrochemical cathodic protection.

Automated summary

A CdSe/ZnIn2S4 co-modified TiO2 heterostructured nanocomposite film was fabricated on a Ti substrate, which showed enhanced visible light absorption and significantly improved photoelectrochemical properties. The nanocomposite film exhibited efficient photoelectrochemical cathodic protection, as demonstrated by a high photocurrent density and a negative shift in the potential of the coupled stainless steel immersed in a corrosive solution.