A study on the sol-enhanced electrodeposition of Ni–P–TiO2 nanocomposite coatings

Abstract

Ni–P–TiO2 composite coatings were deposited on brass substrates using a sol-enhanced electrodeposition method. The cyclic voltammetry tests were used to study the effect of TiO2 sol on Ni–P deposition. The surface morphologies of Ni–P–TiO2 deposits were observed, and their elemental analysis was also conducted. The systematic tests were performed to characterize the mechanical and corrosion behavior of as-prepared coatings. The voltammetric studies showed that the addition of TiO2 sol at 12.5 mL/L slightly promoted the Ni–P electrodeposition, while the excessive addition at 50 mL/L reduced it. The results showed that the in-situ generated TiO2 nanoparticles ( ∼15 nm diameter) could be highly dispersed in the electrolytic bath. The addition of TiO2 sol at 12.5 mL/L slightly promoted the Ni–P electrodeposition, while the excessive addition at 50 mL/L caused the opposite.