Characterisation of thin films of titanium dioxide on various metal materials

Metal corrosion cannot be completely eliminated, but its intensity can be reduced by selecting appropriate materials, using advanced alloys, or applying protective thin films and coatings, especially in aggressive environments. In this study, thin films of titanium dioxide were deposited on metal materials (aluminium sheet, stainless steel and galvanized sheet) by the dip‐coating technique. A highly stable titanium dioxide sol was synthesised using titanium dioxide isopropoxide as a precursor, isopropyl alcohol as a solvent, acetic acid as a catalyst, and acetylacetone as a chelating agent. The morphology and topography of the surface of metal materials with and without titanium dioxide thin films were characterised using atomic force microscopy and confocal microscopy. Surface properties and the effect of ageing were evaluated by measuring contact angles and calculating the surface free energy, including its polar and dispersion components. The adhesion of thin films of titanium dioxide was evaluated using scratch testing, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis was performed to determine the chemical composition of the deposited thin films. On the basis of the obtained results, it is hypothesised that the corrosion resistance of metal materials can be increased by thin films of titanium dioxide deposited on them.