Deposition of Zinc–Cerium Coatings from Deep Eutectic Ionic Liquids

This work studies the electrodeposition of zinc and cerium species on carbon steel substrates from choline chloride-based ionic liquid bath in order to develop a protective coating with anti-corrosion, sacrificial, and self-repairing properties. Hull cell tests were used to study the influence of the current density on composition of the coatings and their morphology. Surface morphology, chemical composition and oxidation state of the obtained coatings were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. Furthermore, electrochemical characterization and corrosion tests were performed in order to evaluate the corrosion properties of the electrodeposited Zn–Ce coatings. The cathodic deposition of Zn–Ce was achieved for the first time using the deep eutectic solvent choline chloride-urea as an electrolyte. Cerium was incorporated in the coating as oxide or mixed oxide within the Zn metal matrix. The composition and morphology of the electrodeposited coating were dependent on the applied current density. Electrochemical corrosion tests showed similar corrosion rates for all the coatings. Nevertheless on scratched tests with a ratio area of 15:1, for Zn–Ce coatings cerium oxide somehow migrates from the coating to the high pH cathodic areas developed on the surface of the bare steel substrate. Further study is still necessary to improve the corrosion protection of the Zn–Ce coating for carbon steel.