Electrodeposition of poly(acrylic acid) on stainless steel with enhanced adhesion properties

A facile electrochemical methodology to prepare poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) thin films in mildly acid aqueous solutions onto stainless steel is presented. Together with the PAA, the codeposition of Zn species is observed. The latter can be further removed by rinsing with dilute HCl aqueous solutions. These PAA‐modified steel samples have been characterized by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy and exhibit good adhesion‐promoting capabilities.