Diffusion of a Corroding Electrolyte through Defective Electroplated Ceria Based Coatings
Among the new environmentally friendly alternatives to improve the corrosion resistance of metallic substrates, cerium oxide based electrodeposited layers have raised particular attention. In this work, various electrodeposited layers on zinc substrate have been elaborated at different conditions to produce tailored compositions, microstructures and different degrees of porosity. The use of electrochemical techniques (polarisation resistance measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) has allowed to ascertain the porosity, which coupled to Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) studies along the cross sections have revealed the inward and/or outward diffusion of the different elements through the film till the metallic surface. The resulting corrosion mechanisms of these coatings immersed in 3% NaCl are finally discussed.