Enhancing Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of Electrodeposited Ni- Pr6O11 Composite Coatings Via Stabilizing Agents

Abstract

Integrating nanoparticles into nickel coatings has been shown to increase the corrosion and mechanical properties of these coatings. The structures of CeO2 and Pr6O11 nanoparticles are similar, and extensive studies on Ni-CeO2 composite coatings have shown increased mechanical and corrosion properties, but there is sparse research on Ni-Pr6O11 composite coatings. However, praseodymium oxide has the potential to change phases upon heating or cooling, increasing the oxygen vacancies and affecting corrosion resistance in certain environments. Praseodymium oxide nanoparticles naturally agglomerate in the electrolyte solution making it difficult to disperse in electroplating solutions. This research studies various stabilizing agents for praseodymium oxide in electrolyte solutions. Electrodeposition of nickel-praseodymium oxide nanocomposites onto metal substrates has been performed with varying concentrations of praseodymium oxide nanoparticles present in the nickel plating bath. Sodium citrate (SC) addition acts as a stabilizing agent for the nanoparticles when added to the electrolytic bath. Up to 30 g/L praseodymium oxide nanoparticles were incorporated into the nickel coating using electrodeposition. The morphology, formation, composition, and hardness of the produced nickel-praseodymium oxide nanocomposite were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and microhardness measurements. Potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and exposure to chloride solutions were used to investigate the corrosion resistance properties of the nanocomposites. Figure 1