Element co-doping is an effective fashion to improve the properties of carbon-based film and amplify its application area. Here, (Cu, Ce)-DLC and (Cu, Ce)/Ti-DLC films were successfully prepared via magnetron sputtering. Evolutions of surface/interface morphology, microstructure and wettability of as-prepared films were investigated systematically to in-depth analysis the relationship between their microstructure and anti-corrosion capability. (Cu, Ce)/Ti-DLC film possessed a thicker thickness compared to (Cu, Ce)DLC film. Raman spectra of as-prepared films exposed quintessential features of carbon peak. Scanning vibrating electrode technique revealed the local electrochemical corrosion process of films. Particularly, (Cu, Ce)/Ti-DLC film could demonstrate superior anti-corrosion ability. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.