Preparation of graphene quantum dots-doped TiO₂ nanocomposites via a sol-gel method for photocathodic protection

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a promising semiconductor for photocathodic protection, but the low efficiency of visible-light absorption and quantum restricts its application. In this study, graphene quantum dots-doped TiO₂ (TiO₂-GQD) nanocomposites with mesopores were prepared by a sol-gel method under ultrasonic radiation conditions. The prepared TiO₂-GQD nanocomposites exhibit excellent performance in the aspects of sunlight absorption, and photocathodic protection. It can protect the active metal and reduce the corrosion rate effectively. It is expected the TiO₂-GQD nanocomposites will be used in marine engineering to realize the efficient and sustainable development of marine corrosion protection.

Keywords:

• Anatase phase
• graphene quantum dots
• photocathodic protection
• TiO₂

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51773106, 51701029 and 51778088), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (No.2020A1515011274).