Concurrent photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants and photocathodic protection of steel Ag–TiO2 composites

In this study, coupled titanium dioxide-silver composite and steel electrode pairs were investigated for their use in cathodic protection under illuminated and dark conditions to prevent corrosion and enhance contaminant degradation under photocatalysis. A series of photoelectrochemical tests were used to determine the properties of the photoanode and identify the cathodic protection behaviour in the presence and absence of organic/inorganic contaminants. Additionally, corrosion-prone steel was used to test the principle of photocathodic protection in reducing oxide formation and mass loss under base metal and welded materials.