Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy investigation on indium tin oxide films under cathodic polarization in NaOH solution

The electrochemical corrosion behaviors of indium tin oxide (ITO) films under the cathodic polarization in 0.1 M NaOH solution were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The as-received and the cathodically polarized ITO films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction for morphological, compositional and structural studies. The results showed that ITO films underwent a corrosion process during the cathodic polarization and the main component of the corrosion products was body-centered cubic indium. The electrochemical impedance parameters were related to the effect of the cathodic polarization on the ITO specimens. The capacitance of ITO specimens increased, while the charge transfer resistance and the inductance decreased with the increase of the polarization time. The proposed mechanism indicated that the corrosion products (metallic indium) were firstly formed during the cathodic polarization and then absorbed on the surface of the ITO film. As the surface was gradually covered by indium particles, the corrosion process was suppressed.

► Cathodic polarization of indium tin oxide (ITO) in 0.1 M NaOH.
► Cathodic polarization studied with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
► ITO underwent a corrosion attack during cathodic polarization, indium was observed.
► Electrochemical parameters of ITO were obtained using equivalent electrical circuit.
► A corrosion mechanism is proposed.