Enhanced Photocathodic Protection Performance of TiO2/NiCo2S4 Composites for 304 Stainless Steel
Source abstract
Abstract
To address the corrosion of 304 stainless steel in marine environments, TiO2/NiCo2S4 composite photoanodes were fabricated via anodic oxidation and hydrothermal methods. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses indicated the growth of hexagonal NiCo2S4 particles on anatase TiO2 nanotube arrays, forming a type-II heterojunction. Spectroscopy of ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance absorption showed that NiCo2S4 extended TiO2’s light absorption into the visible region. Electrochemical tests revealed that under visible light, the composite photoanode decreased the corrosion potential of 304ss to −0.7 V vs. SCE and reduced charge transfer resistance by 20% compared to pure TiO2. The enhanced performance stemmed from efficient electron-hole separation and transport enabled by the type-II heterojunction. Cyclic voltammetry tests indicated the composite’s electrochemical active surface area increased 1.8-fold, demonstrating superior catalytic activity. In conclusion, the TiO2/NiCo2S4 composite photoanode offers an effective approach for marine corrosion protection of 304ss.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Gas Sensing Nanomaterials and Sensors · Corrosion Behavior and Inhibition · Advanced Photocatalysis Techniques
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Qingdao University, 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, China
Funding
Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China
References (56)
Show source-provided references
1. Research progress of TiO2 photocathodic protection to metals in marine environment10.1007/s00343-020-0110-x ↗
2. In-situ fabrication of TiO2/ZIF-67 composite film with electron storage characteristics for significantly enhanced photoelectrochemical cathodic protection of 304 stainless steel10.1016/j.cej.2024.158693 ↗
3. Natural wood-derived charcoal embedded with bimetallic iron/cobalt sites to promote ciprofloxacin degradation10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137569 ↗
4. Fabrication and Photocathodic Protection Performance of Bi2S3/CdS/TiO2 Nanocomposites for 304 Stainless Steel
5. Polyaniline/TiO2/MXene Ternary Composites for Enhancing Corrosion Resistance of Waterborne Epoxy Coatings10.1021/acsanm.4c05723 ↗
6. Progress in semiconductor materials for photocathodic protection: Design strategies and applications in marine corrosion protection10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138194 ↗
7. Research on Regulation Mechanism of TiO2 Photocathodic Protection Based on Cohesive Energy, Defect Patterns, and Nanofilm Size10.1007/s11665-024-09139-6 ↗
8. Construction of S-doped cellulose nanocrystals with edge sulfur vacancies to enhance the generation of 1O2 and promote peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.160717 ↗
9. Review of TiO2-Based Heterojunction Coatings in Photocathodic Protection10.1021/acsanm.4c00541 ↗
10. Rational engineering of semiconductor-based photoanodes for photoelectrochemical cathodic protection10.1063/5.0183558 ↗
11. Enhanced visible light-driven photocathodic protection performance of CuBi2O4 modified TiO2 nanotube array S-type nano-heterojunction photoanodes for 316 stainless steel10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.161503 ↗
12. Fabrication of Z-Scheme TiO2/Au/CdS Nanostructured Coating with Enhanced Photocathodic Protection Performance for Carbon Steel10.1021/acsanm.2c04468 ↗
13. Study on the photocathodic protection of 304 stainless steel by Ag and In2S3 co-sensitized TiO2 composite10.1016/j.apsusc.2019.145088 ↗
14. Characterization and photoelectrochemical performance of Zn-doped TiO2 films by sol-gel method10.1016/S1003-6326(16)64325-X ↗
15. Photoelectrochemical Cathodic Protection of Stainless Steel using W- and Cr-Doped/Codoped TiO2 Nanotube Thin Film Photoanodes10.1149/1945-7111/ac1b05 ↗
16. Podelinska, A., Neilande, E., Pankratova, V., Serga, V., Bandarenka, H., Burko, A., Piskunov, S., Pankratov, V.A., Sarakovskis, A., and Popov, A.I. (2025). Structural and Spectroscopic Characterization of TiO2 Nanocrystalline Materials Synthesized by Different Methods. Nanomaterials, 15.10.3390/nano15070498 ↗
17. Research of two kinds of PANI@semiconductor based photocathodic coating corrosion protection effect and mechanism10.1108/ACMM-02-2024-2961 ↗
18. High-efficiency photocathodic protection performance of novel TiO2/ZnCdS heterojunction films for Q235 carbon steel10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.110125 ↗
19. Carbon nitride interlayer-enhanced TiO2/WO3 nanorods with surface oxygen vacancies for durable photocathodic performance on 304 stainless steel in simulated seawater10.1016/j.cej.2024.151533 ↗
20. Titanium dioxide nanotubes: Synthesis, structure, properties and applications10.1070/RCR4991 ↗
21. Concentrating electron and activating H-OH bond of absorbed water on metallic NiCo2S4 boosting photocatalytic hydrogen evolution10.1016/j.nanoen.2022.107028 ↗
22. NiCo2S4@ZnIn2S4-Assisted All-in-One Self-Powered electrochemical device for ultrasensitive detection and degradation of AFB110.1016/j.cej.2023.143830 ↗
23. In situ electronic redistribution tuning of ZnIn2S4 nanosheets on NiCo2S4 hollow tube for boosted photocatalytic hydrogen evolution10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.153801 ↗
24. Amritha, V.K., and Badhulika, S. (2024). Fabrication of broadband MnS/NiCo2S4 heterojunction photodetector by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique. J. Photochem. Photobiol. A-Chem., 453.10.1016/j.jphotochem.2024.115627 ↗
25. Synthesis of NiCo2S4 and their effect as counter electrodes on performance of dye-sensitized solar cells
26. Photo-assisted charging of heterostructured NiCo2S4@NiCo-LDH composite electrode with remarkable photoelectronic memory effect for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118769 ↗
27. Fan, L., Guo, X., Wang, L., Jin, Z., and Tsubaki, N. (2025). Excellent charge separation over NiCo2S4/CoTiO3 nanocomposites improved photocatalytic hydrogen production. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng., 19.10.1007/s11705-024-2509-y ↗
28. Solar-driven induced photoelectron remember effect involved in core-shell NiCo2S4@Ni3V2O8 composite electrode with superior electrochemical energy storage for asymmetric supercapacitor10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119190 ↗
29. NiCo2S4 cocatalyst supported Si nanowire heterostructure for improved solar-driven water reduction: Experimental and theoretical insights10.1039/D2SE01780F ↗
30. Review: Hydrothermal technology for smart materials10.1080/17436753.2016.1157131 ↗
31. Preparation and photocathodic protection performance of CdSe/reduced graphene oxide/TiO2 composite10.1016/j.corsci.2015.02.017 ↗
32. A hollow core-shell TiO2/NiCo2S4 Z-Scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution10.1016/j.jmst.2024.06.016 ↗
33. Facile preparation of ZIF-67 on TiO2 and enhancement photocathodic protection for 316L stainless steel10.1016/j.electacta.2024.144350 ↗
34. NiCo2S4@Zn0.5Cd0.5S with direct Z-scheme heterojunction constructed by band structure adjustment of ZnxCd1-xS for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.147016 ↗
35. Urchin-like Bi2S3 modified TiO2 for improved photocathodic protection of 304SS10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.175456 ↗
36. Construction of NH2-MIL-101(Cr)/TiO2 heterojunction for enhancing visible light response in photocathodic protection10.1016/j.mtcomm.2025.111947 ↗
37. Enhancing photocathodic protection with Bi quantum dots and ZIF-8 nanoparticle co-sensitized TiO2 nanotubes10.1088/1361-6528/ad0594 ↗
38. Chemical bath co-deposition of Co3O4 and In2O3 on TiO2 nanotubes, aiming for photoanodes with improved photoelectrochemical properties10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.175359 ↗
39. Combined effect of nano -structured NiCo2S4 coated hematite photoanodes for efficient photoelectrochemical water oxidation10.1016/j.cattod.2018.05.045 ↗
40. Zuo, S., Qin, S., Xue, B., Xu, R., Shi, H., Lu, X., Yao, C., Gui, H., and Li, X. (2024). Development of Plasmonic Attapulgite/Co(Ti)Ox Nanocomposite Using Spent Batteries toward Photothermal Reduction of CO2. Molecules, 29.10.3390/molecules29122865 ↗
41. Enhancing photocathodic protection performance by controlled synthesis of Bi/BiOBr/TiO2 NTAs Z-scheme heterojunction films10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.170675 ↗
42. Enhanced photocathodic protection on 304SS in marine environment by Z-Scheme polydopamine-modified CdS10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.135216 ↗
43. Assembly of WO3-Nb2O5-ZnIn2S4 with embedded quasi-planar heterojunction characteristics and its efficient and stable dark-state photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance10.1016/j.jmst.2024.08.068 ↗
44. Dual-function photoelectrode of TiO2 nanotube array/CdZnS/ZnS heterojunction for efficient photoelectrochemical cathodic protection and anti-biofouling10.1016/j.jmst.2023.10.064 ↗
45. Photocathodic protection performance of CuInSe2/TiO2 n-n heterojunction films for HRB400 steel rebar under visible light10.1016/j.colsurfa.2025.136638 ↗
46. Corrosion Resistance and Mechanical Properties of an Al 9wt%Si Alloy Treated by Laser Surface Remelting10.1016/S1452-3981(23)15186-8 ↗
47. Application of NiS modified WS2/TiO2 heterostructure in photocathodic protection10.1088/1361-6528/ad8b53 ↗
48. Thickness-control of ultrathin two-dimensional cobalt hydroxide nanosheets with enhanced oxygen evolution reaction performance10.1016/j.cej.2017.01.073 ↗
49. Enhanced anticorrosion mechanism of photocathodic protection coatings with zinc indium sulfide/titanium oxide Z-scheme heterojunctions10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2024.139109 ↗
50. Fabrication of multi-layered TiO2/CdS@ZnS nanocomposite film for highly stable and efficient photocathodic protection of carbon steel10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.111134 ↗
51. Enhancing photocathodic protection of Q235 carbon steel by co-sensitizing TiO2 nanotubes with CdIn2S4 nanogranules and WO3 nanoplates10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.173184 ↗
52. Spontaneous polarization of ferroelectric heterostructured nanorod arrays for high-performance photoelectrochemical cathodic protection10.1016/j.apsusc.2022.155345 ↗
53. Electronic structure regulation of an S-scheme CuBi2O4/Sr0.5NaTaO3 heterojunction with efficient carrier spatial transfer10.1016/j.seppur.2023.123856 ↗
54. Binder-integrated Bi/BiOI/TiO2 as an anti-chloride corrosion coating for enhanced photocathodic protection of 304 stainless steel in simulated seawater10.1016/j.jallcom.2022.168469 ↗
55. PDA decorated spaced TiO2 nanotube array photoanode material for photocathodic protection of 304 stainless steels10.1016/j.jelechem.2022.116319 ↗
56. A Z-scheme g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction for enhanced performance in protecting magnesium and nickel couple from galvanic corrosion10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.177463 ↗