Significant interest has been generated in the fabrication of CeO2 films for the protection of metals and alloys from corrosion in aqueous environments and oxidation at high temperatures [1], [2] and [3]. CeO2 films are under investigation for the protection of stainless steel [4] and [5], aluminium [6] and [7] and magnesium alloys [8]. Moreover, CeO2 is an environmentally friendly alternative to Cr(VI) based conversion films [3].
Pure and doped CeO2 films were investigated for applications in solid oxide fuel cells operating at reduced temperatures. In addition to their use in anodes and electrolytes, CeO2 thin films could serve to prevent electrolyte/electrode interfacial degradation and corrosion of interconnects [9], [10] and [11]. Thin layers of doped CeO2 yielded reduced interfacial resistance at cathodes and anodes and, as a result, higher power densities of fuel cells were achieved. CeO2 and composite films were also investigated for applications in electronic devices [12] and biosensors [13] and [14].