A novel Ni-B/YSZ nanocomposite coating prepared by a simple one-step electrodeposition at different duty cycles

Abstract

A novel Ni-B nanocomposite coating reinforced by yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanoparticles were fabricated by a simple one-step electrodeposition process. The influences of pulse duty cycle on the structure, surface, and properties of the Ni-B/YSZ nanocomposite coating were examined. All coatings exhibit compact, crack-free and nodular-like structures. The Ni-B/YSZ coatings present nanocrystalline structure with 10 nm in size. The preferred orientation was the Ni (111) texture. The topography and roughness were evaluated by AFM. It indicated that duty cycle influences the particle content, nodule size, roughness, microhardness and corrosion behaviors. The roughness (Sa) are 31–51 nm, depending on the duty cycles. The high duty cycle (90%) could enlargen the nodule size. The doped YSZ nanoparticles and the low duty cycle could enhance the hardness, corrosion and wear resistance. A maximum hardness of 823.5 HV was obtained at the duty cycle of 30%. The duty cycle of 30% is the optimal value for the best corrosion and wear resistance, hardness, and desirable electrochemical stability of the nanocomposite coating.