Addition of Organic Acids during PEO of Titanium in Alkaline Solution

This research study describes recent advances in understanding the effects of the addition of organic acids, such as acetic, lactic, citric and phytic acids, on the process of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) on Ti using an alkaline bath. As the plasma developed over the workpiece is central to determine the particular morphological and structural features of the growing oxide, the focus is then on the inter-relationships between the electrolyte and the resultant plasma regime established. In situ optical emission spectroscopy (OES) allowed us to verify a marked plasma suppression when adding low-molecular-weight anions such as acetates, resulting in short-lived and well-distributed discharges. Conversely, when more bulky anions, such as lactates, citrates and phytates, were considered, a less efficient shielding of the electrode caused the build-up of long-lasting and destructive sparks responsible for the formation of thicker coatings, even >30 µm, at the expense of a higher roughness and loss of compactness. Corrosion resistance was tested electrochemically, according to electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and weight losses evidenced the coatings produced in the solution containing acetates to be more suitable for service in H₂SO₄.