Electrochemical Stability and Biofouling Behavior of Differently Polarized Ti Surfaces in Simulated and Natural Seawater

Abstract

The electrochemical behavior of titanium (Ti) was investigated before and after anodic polarization at different potentials in simulated seawater solutions. The results showed that the Ti anodically polarized at 3.2 V SCE was much more stable than those at 0.5 V SCE and the open-circuit potential (OCP), and the passive film formed at the low potentials could be transformed to a more protective film after polarization at the high potential. The polarization at the high anodic potential could effectively enhance the long-term durability of Ti under natural immersion conditions. Nitzschia closterium f. minutissima could only slightly influence the electrochemical behavior of Ti. The film formed at the 3.2 V SCE on Ti appeared to have very limitedly better antifouling performance than those formed at the 0.5 V SCE and OCP.