Overview of Superhydrophilic, Photocatalytic and Anticorrosive Properties of TiO2 Thin Films Doped with Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes and Deposited on 316L Stainless Steel

TiO2 films with MWCNTs are produced for anticorrosive applications to increase the lifetime of steel materials. TiO2 has two additional properties, photoactivity and superhydrophilicity. Two TiO2 samples, synthesized in aqueous or alcoholic media, have been doped with MWCNTs. The material which best combines anticorrosive, superhydrophilic and photocatalytic properties, is the one produced in aqueous medium (Aq-TiO2-CNT). Doping with MWCNTs increases the photodegradation of p-nitrophenol from 18% to 50%. MWCNTs allow to reduce the corrosion current and the corrosion potential. The good superhydrophilicity of TiO2 is kept on stainless steel with a contact angle after illumination around 5°.