Carbon-containing-titania coated stainless steel prepared by high voltage powder spray coating and its adhesion phenomena

•Carbon-containing titania coated stainless steel prepared by high voltage powder spray coating.•An excellent adhesion the carbonaceous coating in the presence of TiO2.•Elucidation of adhesion phenomena analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.•Pyrolysis at several temperatures to obtain the optimum temperature for excellent adhesion.