Photogenerated cathodic protection of 304ss by ZnSe/TiO2 NTs under visible light

•ZnSe/TiO2 nanotubes were fabricated by cyclic voltammetry electrodeposition.•ZnSe/TiO2 exhibited cathodic protection for 304 stainless steel.•The optimal cycles of deposition for ZnSe/TiO2 were investigated.

ZnSe/TiO2 nanotubes (NTs) serving as photoanodes for cathodic protection application were fabricated by cyclic voltammetry electrodeposition. The different cycles in deposition were studied for the effect of the protection of 304ss, and this composite material was compared with pure TiO2 in cathodic protection property. The ZnSe/TiO2 NTs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The performance of protection for 304ss was examined using open-circuit potential (OCP) and Tafel polarization curves. Results indicated that under visible-light illumination, the OCP of 304ss coupled with ZnSe/TiO2 NTs shifted to a more negative value than that when it was coupled with pure TiO2. Moreover, the optimum photogenerated cathodic protection property was achieved after 40 cycles of deposition.