Corrosion behavior of hydrophobic titanium oxide film pre-treated in hydrogen peroxide solution

Hydrophobic titanium oxide (TiO2) film formed on metallic titanium substrate in hydrogen peroxide solution with a subsequent oxidation under air atmosphere. Component, microstructure, and hydrophobicity of the oxide film were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and water contact angle methods. Corrosion resistance tests were carried out in seawater solution at different heating temperature conditions. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques and polarization curves were used to study the changes and the corrosion resistance of the TiO2 film. The results demonstrate that the pre-treated TiO2 film heated at 400 degrees C environment owns small special groove-shaped structure on its surface, which induce higher hydrophobic capability, larger impedance, and better electrochemical stability than the film that was prepared at other temperatures or the Ti with nature formed oxidation film. It would be an ideal candidate as engineering material in deep seawater environment.