High-efficiency photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance of the iron-nitrogen-sulfur-doped TiO2 nanotube as new efficient photoanodes

Abstract Novel iron-nitrogen-sulfur-tridoped titanium dioxide nanotubes (Fe-N-S-TiO 2 NTs) have been synthesized via single step anodization of titanium using potassium ferricyanide, as a suitable additive, in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) electrolyte and applied as photoanodes in the photocathodic protection of stainless steel 403 (SS403). Photocurrent density, open circuit potential and Tafel polarization curves have been used to study the photocathodic protection effect of the samples prepared. Upon the addition of potassium ferricyanide to the anodizing electrolyte and titanium dioxide nanotube doping, the light absorption of the Fe-N-S-TiO 2 NTs were increased to the visible region, comparable with pure TiO 2 NTs, according to the results obtained. Enhanced photoelectro-response activity and photocathodic protection performance for 403 stainless steel are exhibited by Fe-N-S-TiO 2 NTs under light illumination. In addition, the optimal sample electrode (FT4) potentials shifted negatively to −683 mV under illumination.