Surface modification of galvanized steel by hydrothermal process

In this study, annealing and annealing + hydrothermal synthesis methods were applied to galvanised steel samples in order to improve the structural, electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of galvanised steel. With annealing process, metallic zinc on the surface of galvanised steel was converted to zinc oxide (ZnO). In addition, the surface of galvanised steel was converted into ZnO, ZnO/ZnSe and Ag-ZnO/ZnSe nanostructures by hydrothermal treatment of annealed galvanised steel samples. The structural properties of the obtained surfaces were analysed by XRD, SEM, XPS and FTIR. The electrochemical and wettability properties of the surfaces were determined by potentiastat and contact angle meter, respectively. Photocatalytic performance was investigated by photodegradation of quinoline yellow dye under UV light irradiation. Both annealing and annealing+hydrothermal treatment significantly improved the electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of galvanised steel samples.