Physical and electrochemical characterizations of Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite coatings

Abstract

Advances in materials performance often require the development of composite system. In the present investigation, SiO2-reinforced nickel composite coatings were deposited on a mild steel substrate using direct current electrodeposition process employing a nickel acetate bath. Surface morphology, composition, microstructure and crystal orientation of the Ni and Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite coatings were investigated by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The effect of incorporation of SiO2 particles in the Ni nanocomposite coating on the microhardness and corrosion behaviour has been evaluated. Smooth composite deposits containing well-distributed silicon oxide particles were obtained. The preferred growth process of the nickel matrix in crystallographic directions , and is strongly influenced by SiO2 nanoparticles. The average crystallite size was calculated by using X-ray diffraction analysis and it was ~23 nm for electrodeposited nickel and ~21 nm for Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite coatings. The crystallite structure was fcc for electrodeposited nickel and Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite coatings. The incorporation of SiO2 particles into the Ni matrices was found to improve corrosion resistance of pure Ni coatings. The corrosion potential (Ecorr) in the case of Ni-SiO2 nanocomposite coatings had shown a negative shift, confirming the cathodic protective nature of the coating. The Ni-SiO2 composite coatings have exhibited significantly improved microhardness (615 HV) compared to pure nickel coatings (265 HV)