The effects of electrodeposition parameters on the wetting behavior of ceria coatings

Abstract

Ceria coatings were electrodeposited on copper substrates; the effects of applied current density, bath concentration and bath temperature on the morphological, structural and wetting properties of the coatings were investigated. To do so, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and static contact angle measurement techniques were used. The results showed that, increasing the applied current density, decreasing the bath concentration and temperature lead to the formation of thick coatings with small crystallite sizes and fine morphologies including many cracks. Moreover, it was observed that application of high applied current density or concentrated bath results in the formation of coating with more hydrophilic character while bath temperature does not influence the coating wetting behavior significantly. Although as-deposited coatings exhibited hydrophilic character, their behavior changed to hydrophobic one (especially in case of thick coatings) as a result of long exposure to room atmosphere and hydrocarbon adsorption. The rate of hydrocarbon adsorption was higher in the case of coatings with finer morphologies and more cracks.