SnO2 Nanoparticle Films Prepared by Pulse Current Deposition for Photocathodic Protection of Stainless Steel

SnO2 nanoparticle films on transparent conductive glass substrates were fabricated by a pulse current deposition technique, and the electrochemically deposited SnO2 films were applied as photoanodes to achieve effective photocathodic protection of metals. The results indicated that the films were composed of crystallized SnO2 nanoparticles. The photoelectrochemical properties of the films were improved by annealing. The annealed film was more stable than the unannealed one. Photoelectrochemical measurements showed that both the unannealed SnO2 film and the annealed SnO2 film could provide effective photocathodic protection effects on 403 stainless steel in a 0.5 M NaCl solution under white light illumination. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.