Preparation of FeS(2)/TiO(2) nanocomposite films and study on the performance of photoelectrochemistry cathodic protection

FeS(2)/TiO(2) nanotube array composite films with clean, high efficiency, low cost and low consumption were prepared by electrochemical anodization and hydrothermal methods. The modification of FeS(2) nanoparticles on the surface of TiO(2) nanotube array film not only broadens the light absorption range of TiO(2), but also improves the utilization ratio of visible light and the separation rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, which greatly improves the photoelectrochemical cathodic protection performance of TiO(2) for 304 stainless steel (304SS). Under visible light irradiation, the open circuit potential of 304SS coupled with the FeS(2)/TiO(2) nanocomposite films decreased from − 170 to − 700 mV, and the electrode potential can still maintained at − 400 mV after the light was turned off. Compared with pure TiO(2) nanotube array film, FeS(2)/TiO(2) nanocomposite film has better photoelectrochemical cathodic protection effect on 304SS in 3.5 wt% NaCl corrosion medium.