Effect of oxygen partial pressure on the semiconducting properties of thermally grown chromia on pure chromium

Oxidation of chromium at 800 °C for 30 min at oxygen activity from 5.10−14 atm to 5.10−13 atm have been conducted to grow an insulating chromia. Microstructural and semiconducting properties have been investigated using electron microscopy and photoelectrochemistry. The scales always exhibit a duplex microstructure with equiaxed and columnar grains, as well as a both n-type and insulating semiconduction type. Successive oxidation tests have demonstrated the higher protective nature of this chromia scale compared to the air grown one. Chromia semiconducting properties are finally described vs. oxygen activity in a large range of variation.