Flame synthesis of carbon nanostructures on Ni-plated hardmetal substrates

Hongmei Zhu,Zongwen Liu,Bin Zhu,Shumei Lei,Tongchun Kuang,Simon Peter Ringer

doi:10.1186/1556-276x-6-331

Abstract

In this article, we demonstrate that carbon nanostructures could be synthesized on the Ni-plated YG6 (WC-6 wt% Co) hardmetal substrate by a simple ethanol diffusion flame method. The morphologies and microstructures of the Ni-plated layer and the carbon nanostructures were examined by various techniques including scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The growth mechanism of such carbon nanostructures is discussed. This work may provide a strategy to improve the performance of hardmetal products and thus to widen their potential applications.

Highlights

Hardmetals are widely used for cutting tools and as wear resistant components [1]
We demonstrate that carbon nanostructures could be successfully deposited on the Ni-plated YG6 hardmetal substrates by a simple ethanol diffusion flame method
If the interlayer is too thin, cobalt (Co) element contained in the substrate could re-diffuse from inside to outside at high flame temperature, reducing the effect of the interlayer

Summary

Introduction

Hardmetals are widely used for cutting tools and as wear resistant components [1]. In order to improve the performance and the durability of the hardmetals, the application of coating is necessary. We chose metal Ni as an interlayer considering its several inherent advantages [7,8,9,10]: (1) the linear expansion coefficient of Ni is very close to that of the hardmetal substrate; (2) Ni possesses favorable wettability with carbon nanostructures and catalyzes their nucleation and growth; and (3) Ni is hardly influenced by the temperature in combustion flame due to its outstanding heat resistance.

Results

Conclusion