Fabrication and corrosion resistance of a graphene-tin oxide composite film on aluminium alloy 6061

The synthesis of a graphene-tin oxide composite film prepared on aluminium alloy 6061 by self-assembly and hydrothermal methods is reported. The surface morphology of the film was investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The composition and microstructure were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The corrosion behaviour of the film was studied using an electrochemical method in a mixed acidic solution of 0.5 M H2SO4 and 2 ppm HF. The resulting protection efficiency was up to 99.7%, illustrating that the film can immensely improve the corrosion of this alloy in a heavily acidic environment.