Preparation and characterization of Cu-GO and Cu-GO-YSZ nanocomposite coating by electrochemical deposition for improved mechanical and anti-corrosion properties

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Graphene oxide (GO) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanoparticle reinforced copper (Cu) matrix nanocomposite coatings were successfully fabricated via direct current electroplating from a copper sulfate electrolyte. Influences of particle concentration (GO/YSZ) in electrolyte, electrodeposition time and applied current density on composition, microstructural and anti-corrosion performance of Cu-GO and Cu-GO-YSZ composite coatings were explored. The corrosion behaviors were evaluated by electrochemical measurement. Results indicated the composite coatings exhibit a uniform and compact surface which was made up of stacked granules, exhibiting morphologies that nanoflake-like structures dispersed on the pyramid-like copper matrix granule clusters network. The crystallite sizes of Cu-GO first increased and then decreased as GO, time and current density increased, while it varied little for Cu-GO-YSZ composite coating. The preferred orientation of Cu matrix composite coating was oriented (220) texture. The content of incorporated GO increased with the introduction of YSZ into the Gu-GO matrix. The Gu-GO coating contains 93.3 wt% Cu and 5.5 GO, and the Gu-GO-YSZ coating contains 91.7 wt% Cu and 7.6 wt% GO. The average roughness Ra of Cu-GO and Cu-GO-YSZ were 240 ± 7 nm and 236 ± 40 nm, respectively. The addition of GO nanosheets could improve the microhardness and decrease the COF of Cu matrix. Both self-lubrication effect and load-bearing capability were improved by introducing GO and YSZ together in the Cu matrix. Deposits obtained at 30 mA cm−2, 30 min, 0.1 g L−1 GO and 10 g L−1 YSZ particles own the optimal corrosion resistance with the maximum Rp. It reveals that corrosion resistance was enhanced by the presence of GO nanosheets in Cu matrix for physical isolation effect of GO and the preferred orientation (220) plane, which benefited the formation of passive film.