Sb/Sn[O.sub.2] nanostructured anticorrosive coatings on metals

The paper reports on the structural and mechanical properties of ATO (Antimony doped tin dioxide) thin coatings obtained by the by sol-gel one step multiple-dip coating technique on Ti, Cu and stainless steel substrates. Surface morphology, microstructure, composition, roughness and hardness of the obtained coatings were determined by using SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy), EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis) and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) mesurements. Corrosion resistance was evaluated from corrosion potential measurements in 0.5 M [H.sub.2]S[O.sub.4], 0.5 M NaOH and 0.5 M NaCl solutions. Adherent, nanostructured ATO coatings with long term corrosion resistance were obtained on all types of metal substrates. Keywords: ATO, nanostructured thin coating, microstructure, roughness, hardness, corrosion resistance.