Development of nano CeO2-incorporated high performance hot-dip zinc coating

Nano CeO2 composite has been synthesized and explored as an effective activator for enhancing galvanic performance of hot-dip zinc coatings. The pre-treatment conditions and bath composition were optimized based on preliminary test results. Particle size of the CeO2 was characterized by XRD and TEM analyses. Various electrochemical techniques such as OCP decay measurements, Anodic polarization, Salt spray analysis and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were adopted to evaluate galvanic performance of the CeO2-incorporated coatings. The coating incorporated with an optimum amount of CeO2, i.e. 0.1%, exhibited best galvanic performance. The incorporation of CeO2 caused significant improvement in galvanic and other physical characteristics of the coatings. It also resulted in lowering of the alloying reaction between zinc and iron, but enhanced barrier protection of the interior layers.