Effects of dissolved oxygen on electrochemical and semiconductor properties of 316L stainless steel

The effects of dissolved oxygen on the electrochemical behavior and semiconductor properties of passive film formed on 316L SS in three solutions with different dissolved oxygen were studied by using polarization curve, Mott-Schottky analysis and the point defect model (PDM). The results show that higher dissolved oxygen accelerates both anodic and cathodic process. Based on Mott-Schottky analysis and PDM, the key parameters for passive film, donor density N_d, flat-band potential E_fb and diffusivity of defects D₀ were calculated. The results display that N_d(1−7 × 10²⁷ m⁻³) and D₀(1−18 × 10⁻¹⁶ cm²/s) increase and E_fb value reduces with the dissolved oxygen in solution.