Enhanced pitting corrosion resistance of a Zr-based metallic glass by ultraviolet light irradiation

The influence of ultraviolet light irradiation on the pitting corrosion performance of a Zr2Ni metallic glass was examined using electrochemical methods and immersion test in 0.05 mol/L NaCl solution. From the results of potentiostatic polarization, the pitting potential of the ultraviolet light-irradiated sample shifted positively with a value of ~300 mV, revealing the enhanced pitting corrosion resistance of the samples. The corrosion morphology after the immersion test also demonstrated lower degree of corrosion damage and improved pitting resistance of the sample with ultraviolet light irradiation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed more zirconium enrichment in the passive film and no chloride ions adsorption for the samples with ultraviolet irradiation, accounting for the suppression of the pit generation and growth. Our findings indicate that ultraviolet light irradiation improves the pitting corrosion resistance of the Zr-based metallic glasses, which are promising structural materials to be used in corrosion environments with high ultraviolet irradiation.