The CdIn2S4/WO3 Nanosheet Composite Has a Significantly Enhanced Photo-electrochemical Cathodic Protection Performance and Excellent Electron Storage Capability

Graphical Photo-electrochemical cathodic protection technology is considered to be a green metallic corrosion protection technology that uses solar energy to protect against corrosion without consuming any anode materials. A CdIn 2 S 4 /WO 3 nanosheet composite film with electron self-storage properties was synthesized and used as a photoelectrode to couple with metallic materials to provide photo-electrochemical cathodic protection under light illumination and continuing cathodic protection in the dark. This research will promote the practical application of photo-electrochemical cathodic protection technology. Photo-electrochemical cathodic protection (CP) technology is considered to be a green metallic corrosion protection technology that uses solar energy to protect from corrosion and does not consume any anode materials. In this work, a CdIn 2 S 4 /WO 3 nanocomposite photoelectrode was prepared, and its photo-electrochemical CP performance and mechanism were studied and analyzed. WO 3 has a well band matching with CdIn 2 S 4 , leading to a significantly enhanced photo-electrochemical CP performance of the nanocomposite. Meanwhile, as confirmed in this work, the CdIn 2 S 4 /WO 3 nanocomposite can store photoinduced electrons under light illumination through intercalation reactions and changing the valence state of tungsten. Moreover, it can discharge in the dark state to provide continuous CP for the coupled metals. This research will promote the practical application process of the photo-electrochemical CP technology.