Tailoring anodized TiO2 films for corrosion resistant titanium in alkaline seawater electrolysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study investigates the anodizing behavior of commercially pure titanium to develop corrosion resistant and electrically conductive surfaces for alkaline seawater electrolysis. Titanium specimens were anodized at 10-100 V in 1M H 3 PO 4 and the resulting oxide films were characterized by FE-SEM, XPS and electrochemical measurements to evaluate morphology, chemical composition, corrosion behavior and surface conductivity. FE-SEM observations revealed that increasing voltage led to finer surface pores and the formation of uniform and compact TiO 2 layers. At moderate voltages, particularly 50 V, the dense oxide effectively suppressed ion transport and provided excellent corrosion resistance in alkaline chloride environments. Potentiodynamic polarization test in 1 M KOH + 0.5 M NaCl showed a clear decrease in corrosion current density and a positive shift of corrosion potential compared with the untreated Ti surface. XPS analysis confirmed Ti 4+ (Ti 2p) and lattice O 1s peaks along with phosphate residues within the oxide, indicating the formation of a chemically stable amorphous TiO 2 film. At higher voltages, excessive oxide growth cause structural degradation and reduced surface conductivity. The oxide formed at 50 V achieved the best balance between corrosion protection and electrical performance, providing practical insight into optimizing anodizing conditions for titanium components used in alkaline seawater electrolysis systems.
Authors: Subeen Park, Jae-Keun Hong, Jong-Taek Yeom, Je In Lee, Jae H. Kim
Language: English
Subfield: Materials Chemistry
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,640
Awards: G128200357, G1749765655, G3304206483
OpenAlex ID: W4415426560