Properties of Ni/Nano-TiO2 Composite Coatings Prepared by Direct and Pulse Current Electroplating

Abstract

Pure nickel and nickel matrix composite coatings containing nano-TiO2 particles were produced under both direct and pulse current conditions from an additive-free nickel Watts’ type bath. The surface morphology, crystal size, crystallographic orientation, and microhardness of nickel matrix and the amount of embedded nano-TiO2 particles in the composite coatings were investigated. The corrosion performance of the coatings was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. The TiO2 particles embedded in the nickel matrix exerted strong influence on the texture of the growing nickel layer, changing its texture under both direct and pulse current conditions. The textural perfection of the deposits revealed that the presence of TiO2 particles led to the deteriorating of [100] preferred orientation. Under direct current conditions, the composite coating exhibited clearly [211] fiber orientation, while pulse current working exhibited a mixed crystal orientation through [100] and [211] axes. It is concluded that in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles, the adsorption-desorption phenomena occurring on the metal surface are altered. The experimental results show that composite electrodeposits prepared under pulse plating conditions exhibited higher incorporation percentages than those obtained under direct plating conditions, at particularly 10 Hz and low duty cycles. The results revealed that pulse-plated Ni/TiO2 nanocomposite coating provided excellent anti-corrosion performance and presented higher microhardness.