Formation of a photocatalytic WO3 surface layer on electrodeposited Al–W alloy coatings by selective dissolution and heat treatment

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we explored the feasibility of WO3 surface layer formation on electrodeposited Al–W alloy coatings by selective dissolution and heat treatment, with the aim of providing corrosion-resistant Al–W alloy coatings with photocatalytic self-cleaning properties under visible light illumination. The selective dissolution of Al and oxidation of residual W was carried out by immersing Al–W alloy films in an aqueous solution of nitric acid. A nanostructured H2WO4·H2O surface layer was formed on the alloy film by this process. The H2WO4·H2O layer was dehydrated to WO3 by heat treatment, yielding a multilayered WO3/Al–W alloy film with an approximately 300 nm thick WO3 layer. The WO3/Al–W alloy film exhibited photocatalytic self-cleaning, as demonstrated by the photodegradation of stearic acid and methylene blue. We also confirmed that selective dissolution and heat treatment did not significantly diminish the corrosion resistance of the Al–W alloy films.