Preparation and characterization of pulsed electrodeposited cobalt–graphene nanocomposite coatings

Abstract

Cobalt–graphene nanocomposite coatings possess unique mechanical and tribological properties which attract researchers to explore its potential for various industrial applications. This research work presents the investigation on cobalt–graphene nanocomposite coatings, with two different graphene compositions cobalt–graphene (0.15 and 0.45 wt%) prepared by pulsed electrodeposition from aqueous bath involving cobalt chloride, trisodium citrate, and citric acid on low carbon steel substrate. Studies on coating morphology, microhardness, tribological characteristics such as wear and corrosion for the cobalt–graphene nanocomposite coatings were reported. Cobalt–graphene (0.45 wt%) nanocomposite coating which exhibits low wear rate in all load conditions due to the self-lubricating property of graphene and cobalt–graphene (0.15 wt%) nanocomposite coating shows higher corrosion resistance due to its layered cauliflower surface morphology.