Development of a novel hydrothermal process for surface modification of galvanized steel, characterization, and photocatalytic application

In this study, the hydrothermal surface modification of galvanized steel was performed on the substrate without any precursor ion for the first time to achieve a photocatalytic activity under UV light irradiation. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the modified and bare samples were examined by XRD, SEM-EDX, XPS, FTIR, UV-DRS and PL analyses. Electrochemical and wettability properties were determined with potentiostat and contact angle goniometry, respectively. The photocatalytic performances of surface modified galvanized steel samples were also investigated and comparatively evaluated by photo-degradation of quinoline yellow dye under UV light irradiation. Upon the doping silver ions into the structure, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of fabricated composite material was determined as 100 % after the periods of 65 min. To the best of our knowledge this study is the first study dealing with photodegradation of quinolone yellow by using modified galvanized samples. The modified galvanized steel samples exhibited 96.1 % of its initial activity after 5 cycles. The surface modification by hydrothermal treatment improved the electrochemical properties of galvanized steel. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.