Synthesis of Zn-Co-TiO۲ nanocomposite coatings by electrodeposition with photocatalytic and antifungal activities

TiO۲ has become the most well-known photocatalysts for solving environmental problems as a wide-band n-type semiconductor. This research aimed to coat a carbon steel substrate with Zn-Co-TiO۲ nanocomposite via the electrodeposition method. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the microstructure, (energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) EDS analysis was used to examine the composition of the coating, and a pull-off test was used to determine the adhesion of the coating. In this regard, the electrodeposition of the coatings was carried out at the optimum conditions of ۰.۱ A, the concentration of TiO۲ equal to ۱۵ g/L, deposition time of ۲۰ min, the temperature of ۲۵.۵ °C, and pH of ۵-۵.۵ in different electrolyte compositions. Also, the photocatalytic properties of TiO۲ were determined by the fungal growth on the sample surface. According to the results, the fungal growth was reduced with the increase in the TiO۲ content in the coating.

Keywords:

Adhesion , Electrical deposition , Anti-fungal properties , Nanocomposite , Zn-Co-TiO۲