Structural Characterization and Protective Properties of Spray-Deposited Titania Coating Obtained from Oxime-Modified Titanium(IV) Precursor

Spray pyrolytic deposition (SPD) of titania coatings on steel substrates have been carried out using acetoxime-modified titanium(IV) isopropoxide, [Ti(O i Pr) 2 {ONC(CH 3 ) 2 } 2 ]. The XRD analyses of the deposited titania films indicate presence of anatase titania coating on the steel substrate. The deposition of titania coating was further confirmed by the EDX and XPS analyses. The SEM images of the titania coating over steel substrates indicate presence of crack-free titania film in the range of 1.39–1.50 µm. AFM images of titania coated steel sample represent growth of spiky structures of titania over steel sample. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques were used to evaluate the protective behaviour of a titania coated steel sample in 3.5% aqueous NaCl solution, indicating that the titania coating is corrosion resistant.