Fabrication and photoelectrochemical properties of ZnS/Au/TiO2 nanotube array films.

A highly ordered TiO(2) nanotube array film was fabricated by an anodic oxidation method. The film was modified by Au nanoparticles (NPs) formed by a deposition-precipitation technique and was covered with a thin ZnS shell prepared by a successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The photoelectrochemical properties of the prepared ZnS/Au/TiO(2) composite film were evaluated by incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE), and photopotential and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements under white light illumination. The results indicated that the Au NPs could expand the light sensitivity range of the film and suppress the electron-hole recombination, and the ZnS shell could inhibit the leakage of photogenerated electrons from the surface of Au NPs to the ZnS/electrolyte interface. When the 403 stainless steel in a 0.5 M NaCl solution was coupled to the ZnS/Au/TiO(2) nanotube film photoanode under illumination, its potential decreased by 400 mV, showing that the composite film had a better photocathodic protection effect on the steel than that of a pure TiO(2) nanotube film.

[In situ measurement of the permeability of concrete by FTIR-MIR].

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with multiple internal reflection mode (FTIR-MIR) has been applied for the first time to measure the permeability of concrete. The effect of water-cement ratio and curing time on the microstructure and permeability of concrete was studied. Also, the penetration process of H2O and SO4(2-) through the concrete specimens was investigated. The results indicated that the movement of H2O through unsaturated concrete was mainly caused by capillary suction and the movement of SO4(2-) through unsaturated concrete should take into account diffusion, advection caused by a capillary suction flow and the reaction between SO4(2-) and the cement hydration products. The permeability of concrete was determined by its microstructure. With the decrease in water-cement ratio and the increase in curing time, the porosity and the connectivity of pores in concrete decreased, which resulted in the decrease of concrete permeability.

In situ measurement of Cl- concentrations and pH at the reinforcing steel/concrete interface by combination sensors.

This paper presents an in situ, nondestructive method of monitoring Cl- concentrations and pH values at the steel/concrete interface. The Ag/AgCl electrodes prepared by the electrochemical anodization and the Ir/IrO2 electrodes prepared by thermal oxidation in carbonate served as Cl- concentration and pH sensors, respectively. The potentiometric response of the Ag/AgCl electrode to the logarithm of Cl- concentrations ranging from 1 x 10(-4) to 2 M in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution simulating the inner electrolytic medium of concrete shows good linearity. The Ir/IrO2 electrode also exhibits an ideal Nernstian response in the range of pH 1-14. The Ag/AgCl and Ir/IrO2 electrodes were combined into a multiplex Cl-/pH sensor, and the sensor was embedded in concrete close to the steel/concrete interface to realize an in situ and long-term measurement of Cl- concentrations and pH values. The results indicate that the combined sensor is robust and sensitive enough to in situ measure Cl- concentrations and pH quantitatively at the steel/concrete interface, which is of indispensable importance to the study of corrosion and protection of the steel in concrete.