Corrosion performance of anodic films containing polyaniline and TiO2 nanoparticles on AA3105 aluminium alloy

The corrosion protection afforded to an AA3105 aluminium alloy supporting an anodic film with incorporated polyaniline and TiO2 nanoparticles has been examined. The films were synthesised by simultaneous anodizing and electropolymerisation of aniline in the presence of nanoparticles. The morphology and composition of the films were probed by TEM, SEM, rf-GDOES and XPS. The resultant coatings comprised a thin porous anodic film of 2–3 µm thickness, with an outer hybrid polyaniline/TiO2 layer of several tens nanometres thickness, with the dimensions of TiO2 nanoparticles being below 10 nm. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis and salt spray testing revealed that TiO2 containing films provide improved corrosion protection to the AA3105 aluminium alloy compared with the film without nanoparticles. The improved protection provided by the coatings containing TiO2 nanoparticles is attributed to the TiO2 particle-rich thin film layer formed on the outer part of the coating that acts as a blocking barrier layer for the anodic porous aluminium oxide film.