Real-Time AFM and Impedance Corrosion Monitoring of Environmentally Friendly Ceria Films on AA7075

Cerium-based conversion coatings have emerged as promising green alternatives to the harmful chromium-based ones, but the mechanism of corrosive protection still remains a subject of academic and industrial research. This study focuses at small scale phenomena of corrosion inhibition imparted by ceria (CeO₂) to AA7075. Ceria nanoparticles were deposited from diluted and concentrated CeO₂ sols by immersion. A multi-Analytical approach, combining Atomic Force microscopy (AFM), Scanning Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy, open circuit potential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was employed. Deposition of ceria films led to deactivation of cathodic sites, i.e. decreased Volta potential difference, resulting in increased corrosion inhibition. In situ AFM real-Time monitoring revealed that during exposure to NaCl electrolyte, the changes in size of deposited ceria aggregates occurred: nanoparticles disintegrated/desorbed and re-deposited at the coating surface. The process was found to be dynamic in nature. Small particles size and inherent reactivity are believed to accelerate this phenomenon. Due to the greater CeO₂ reservoir, this phenomenon was more pronounced with a thicker film, imparting longer term protection.