Synthesis of nanostructured zirconia electrodeposited films on AISI 316L stainless steel and its behaviour in corrosion resistance assessment

This work deals with the study of AISI 316L stainless steel samples coated with nanostructured zirconia thin films, using electrodeposition methods. The chemical composition and compounds formed were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The morphology of zirconia films was analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Corrosion resistance of the coated steel was tested in a chloride environment. XPS analysis results show zirconium element on the metal surface, bound to oxygen-forming zirconia. The anodic polarization curves obtained in Hank's solution show that zirconia coating can be used as protective coating against pitting corrosion of AISI 316L stainless steels.