Electrodeposition of composite Ni–B coatings in a stirred heterogeneous system

The formation of composite electrochemical coatings of a nickel matrix with boron microparticles was investigated. Electrolytical nickel–boron layers were deposited on a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode in a stirred heterogeneous system formed by a Watts-type nickel plating bath and dispersed boron powder particles. The polarisation behaviour of the composite plating bath as a function of the boron particle loading was examined. The effect of deposition conditions, as well as of the amount of boron powder in the plating bath on the boron content in the composite Ni–B coatings, was examined. The composite coating structure was established using scanning electron microscopy and light optical microscopy. The distribution of boron particles in the composite deposits was investigated by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry. The boron particles content was determined gravimetrically. The obtained results suggest that the content of incorporated boron particles increases with an increasing amount of boron in the plating bath. The potentiodynamic deposition method is demonstrated to be more suitable for production of composite coatings with a high content of boron particles than the potentiostatic one. Homogeneous distribution of boron particles in the nickel matrix without coagulation or sedimentation was associated with the electrochemical fabrication method in stirred heterogeneous systems.     

Corrosion resistance of electroless Cu–P and Cu–P–SiC composite coatings in 3.5% NaCl

The Cu–P and Cu–P–SiC composite coatings on carbon steel substrates were deposited via electroless plating. The anti-corrosion properties of Cu–P and Cu–P–SiC coatings were studied in 3.5% NaCl solution. The anti-corrosion properties of Cu–P and Cu–P–SiC coatings were investigated in 3.5% NaCl solution by the weight loss, potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. It has been found that the shift in the corrosion potential (E_corr) towards the noble direction, decrease in the corrosion current density (I_corr), increase in the charge transfer resistance (R_ct) and decrease in the double layer capacitance (C_dl) values indicated an improvement in corrosion resistance with the incorporation of SiC particles in the Cu–P matrix. The effects of varying the SiC concentration on the corrosion resistance of carbon steel were investigated and it was found that the best anti-corrosion property of Cu–P–SiC is at 5 g L^?1 SiC in the bath formulation.     

Crystallization behaviour of TiO2–ZrO2 composite nanoparticles

Nano-composite TiO₂?CZrO₂ materials were prepared via sol?Cgel processes by hydrolysis of mixtures of titanium- and zirconium-containing alkoxides with TiO₂:ZrO₂ ratios of 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, and 10:1. Precipitated powders were dried at room temperature and annealed in ambient air at temperatures between 350 and 500?°C for 4?h. Pure TiO₂ and ZrO₂ powders were synthesized for comparison. Samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption near edge fine structure (XANES). The detailed analysis of those data provides the crystalline and amorphous phase composition as well as the crystallite particle size. According to XRD and XANES analysis, only the two pure oxide samples and one of the composite samples with a composition TiO₂:ZrO₂?=?10:1, crystallized. Both titania containing powders, the pure TiO₂ and the TiO₂:ZrO₂?=?10:1 composite, were found to crystallize in the anatase structure. ZrO₂ was found to stay amorphous in the composites but crystalline in the pure oxide. In the crystallized composite TiO₂:ZrO₂?=?10:1 sample, the concentration of the amorphous phase remains larger than in pure TiO₂ samples, but the crystallite size was found to be nearly constant with increasing annealing temperature in contrast to the increasing particle size of pure TiO₂-samples. Pure TiO₂ precipitates are amorphous directly after preparation, however they crystallize after 6?month storage at ambient conditions by aging. Such an aging was not observed for the TiO₂:ZrO₂ composites.     

Electrodeposition of Zn–Ni–P compositionally modulated multilayer coatings: An attempt to deposit Ni–P and Zn–Ni alloys from a single bath

The effects of bath composition and deposition variables on the electrodeposition of Zn–Ni–P alloys were studied in order to develop a single bath for deposition of Ni–P/Zn–Ni compositionally modulated multilayer coatings (CMMCs). The basis for development of the bath was a large increase in the Ni deposition rate compared to that of Zn at low deposition overpotentials combined with the impossibility of codeposition of Zn with P. EDS analysis demonstrated that the deposits obtained from the Zn–Ni–P bath at low overpotentials were practically all Ni–P, while the alloy deposited at high overpotentials was mainly Zn–Ni with around 3.2 wt% P content.     

Zn–TiO2 composite films prepared by pulsed electrodeposition

The preparation of a Zn–TiO₂ composite film has been performed by pulsed electrodeposition, from acidic zinc sulphate solutions, on an Fe support. The influence of the bath pH and the presence of a cationic surfactant (CTAB) on the composites structural and morphological characteristics has been investigated. The characterization of the samples was made by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The experimental data show that for the composites prepared at pH 2, the metallic matrix presents a (0 0 2) preferential orientation. At pH=4, the deposit loses the preferred c-axis orientation and in addition a higher content of TiO₂ particles is obtained. The use of the surfactant modifies the shape of the metallic grains, but little effect is observed on the dispersion of the semiconductor particles.     

Pulsed electrodeposition of WO3–TiO2 composite films

Cathodic electrodeposition was used to prepare thin films of WO₃ and TiO₂ on F-doped SnO₂ glass substrates. A new pulsed deposition technique was developed to prepare WO₃–TiO₂ composite films over a wide compositional range. Such composite films containing comparable amounts of WO₃ and TiO₂ showed superior photoelectrochemical performance in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ relative to the component oxides themselves.     

Mechanical and corrosion behavior of amorphous and crystalline electroless Ni–W–P coatings

Two types of electroless Ni–W–P coatings: nanocrystalline with low P and amorphous with higher P content are investigated. Scanning probe microscopy is applied to study their morphology. Textured nanocrystalline coatings consist of coarse pyramids built of nanometer thick lamellas. The surface morphology of amorphous coatings is much finer and uniform. Nanohardness of all coatings depends on W content. Microhardness is increasing during the heat treatment up to 350 °C due to nickel phosphide precipitation affected by tungsten also. The wear resistance of nanocrystalline Ni–W–P coatings is much higher than that of amorphous in spite of the similar tungsten content in both. Lower corrosion resistance of amorphous Ni–W–P coatings is found by weight loss method during long-term immersion in 5 % NaCl. Electrochemical tests by potentiodynamic polarization curves in two model corrosion media—solutions of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 5 % NaCl—are performed. The corrosion of bi-layered Ni–W–P/Ni–P and Ni–W–P/Ni–Cu–P deposits on mild steel is also investigated. The results prove that an electroless Ni–W–P coating on mild steel extremely improves its mechanical and corrosion behavior. It is demonstrated that in addition to deposit’s structure and composition, the distribution and chemical state of alloy ingredients are also responsible for its properties.     

Sol–gel composite coatings from methyltriethoxysilane and polymethylhydrosiloxane

New composite coatings were prepared by mixing pre-hydrolyzed methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) sol by an acidic catalyst dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) and polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS) in gasoline at room temperature. The gel process was thoroughly investigated regarding the use of different basic catalyst [3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) or triethylamine (TEA)], as well as the ratios of pre-hydrolyzed MTES sol and PMHS with various content of active H. It was revealed that the composite coating from 2:1 ratio (w/w) of pre-hydrolyzed MTES sol with equimolar amounts of water and PMHS_1.55 under the catalysis of APTES demonstrated high pencil hardness, and excellent resistance against contamination and corrosion. This composite coating (MTPM21-A) was further characterized by FTIR, ²⁹Si NMR, DSC and TGA.     

Characterization of anti-reflective and self-cleaning SiO2–TiO2 composite film

Sol–gel dip-coating technique can be used to fabricate SiO₂–TiO₂ composite film with self-cleaning and anti-reflectance properties from low-cost SiO₂ colloid solution and Ti(OC₄H₉)₄. The physical and structural properties have been investigated by UV–visible spectrophotometer, contact angle meter, XRD, FT-IR, FESEM. UV–vis spectra and methyl orange photodegradation experiments showed that the SiO₂–TiO₂ composite film had high light transmittance and photocatalytic activity.     

Investigations on SnO2–TiO2 composite photoelectrodes for corrosion protection

Different compositions of SnO₂–TiO₂ composite electrode coatings were prepared on conducting ITO glass substrates and photoelectrochemical measurements were carried out on the coated substrates under illumination with ultraviolet light. Photopotential as well as polarization measurements were made on the samples to evaluate their performance with regard to application for cathodic protection of metals against corrosion. A composite electrode bearing SnO₂ and TiO₂ in a 1:1 molar ratio was found to exhibit the maximum photocurrent and a maximum lowering of potential under illumination when compared to the other compositions. A possibility of using a pure SnO₂ coating for cathodic protection of metals against corrosion under dark conditions was also explored.     

Visible light-induced conversion of biomass-derived chemicals integrated with hydrogen evolution over 2D Ni2P–graphene–TiO2

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Highly selective photocatalytic conversion of biomass-derived chemicals into value-added chemicals and clean hydrogen energy under mild conditions by...     

Synthesis and properties of zinc–nickel–carbon nanotube composite coatings

Composite electrochemical coatings modified with carbon nanotubes were produced on the basis of the zinc–nickel alloy. The functional properties (friction coefficient, protective capacity) of the composite coatings were studied in comparison with zinc–nickel alloys without a dispersed phase. It was found that, upon inclusion of carbon nanotubes particles into zinc–nickel deposits, their sliding friction coefficient decreases by a factor of 1.3–1.4 and the range of passive-state potentials becomes two times wider.     

Electrodeposition of composite PbO2–TiO2 materials from colloidal methanesulfonate electrolytes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The influence of particles of colloidal titanium dioxide on the morphology and structure of lead dioxide electrodeposits has been investigated. The...     

Erratum to: Nanoscale composite materials in the system SiO2–TiO2

Nanoscale composite materials based on the SiO₂–TiO₂ system were prepared in the form of co-precipitated composites and core SiO₂–shell TiO₂ composites, with specific surface area 150–650 m²/g and sorption volumes 0.1–1.0 cm³/g. It is shown that variation of phase composition and morphology permits to change their structural-adsorption properties and nanocrystallites size after thermal treatment. It is discovered that co-precipitated composite materials differ from core SiO₂–shell TiO₂ composites by a component interaction degree. It determines the difference of the titan-containing component crystallization process and alteration of their structural-absorption properties after thermal treatment. The results of the tests of composites as photocatalysts for Rhodamine B decomposition reaction, as catalysts of Hantzsch and Biginelli reaction, and as fillers in electrorheological fluids are shown.     

Electrochemical synthesis and properties of iron–titanium dioxide composite coatings

Deposition of Fe/TiO₂ composite coatings from a colloidal methanesulfonate electrolyte containing titanium dioxide hydrosol was studied. The TiO₂ content in the composite increases with increasing the dispersed phase content and decreasing the current density. Incorporation of TiO₂ particles into the iron matrix resilts in an increase in the microhardness of the deposit. The electroplated Fe/TiO₂ composite coating was used as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for the decomposition of an organic dye under the action of UV radiation.     

TiO2柱撑海泡石负载Ni2P的噻吩加氢脱硫性能

以氢氧化镍为镍源, 亚磷酸为磷源, TiO₂柱撑海泡石(Ti-Sep)为载体, 采用浸渍法制备了含磷化镍前驱体的样品, 然后采用程序升温还原法制备了Ni质量分数(w)为5%-25%的Ni₂P/Ti-Sep催化剂, 并考察了其噻吩加氢脱硫性能. 采用X射线衍射(XRD)、N₂吸附-脱附、热重分析(TGA)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)和傅里叶变换红外(FTIR)光谱对催化剂样品进行了表征. 结果表明, 海泡石经TiO₂柱撑之后层间距增大, 比表面积和孔容都明显变大, 热稳定性增强, 活性组分Ni₂P能很好地分散在海泡石层间及表面, 并且没有破坏海泡石的层状结构. 上述原因导致Ni₂P/Ti-Sep催化剂的噻吩加氢脱硫活性明显优于Ni₂P/Na-Sep(NaCl改性海泡石)和Ni₂P/HCl-Sep(HCl改性海泡石)催化剂. 当Ni负载量为15% (w)时, Ni₂P/Ti-Sep催化剂具有最好的噻吩加氢脱硫性能; 在反应温度为400℃时, 噻吩转化率达100%.     

Performance studies of electrolyte-supported solid oxide fuel cell with Ni–YSZ and Ni–TiO2–YSZ as anodes

Redox cycling of Ni-based anode induces cell degradation which limits the cell's lifetime during solid oxide fuel cell operation. In the present study, the redox testing of electrolyte-supported cells has been investigated with TiO₂-added NiO–YSZ anode matrix. Button cells were fabricated by die-pressing YSZ powder as electrolyte, and onto which NiO–YSZ or NiO–TiO₂–YSZ anode and LSM–YSZ composite cathode were painted. The electrochemical performance and stability have been evaluated by measuring current–voltage characteristics followed by impedance spectroscopy after each redox cycling. Anode matrices before and after cell operation have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental dispersive X-ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During cell operation the peak power density decreases from 111 mW cm^?2 (239 mA cm^?2) to 84 mW cm^?2 (188 mA cm^?2) between 23 and 128 h with five redox cycles for cell having NiO–YSZ (40:60) anode. But for cell with NiO–TiO₂–YSZ (30:10:60), the anode peak power density was constant and stable around 85 mW cm^?2 (194 mA cm^?2) throughout the cell run of 130 h and five redox cycles. No loss in the open circuit voltage was observed. SEM and XRD studies of NiO–TiO₂–YSZ (30:10:60) anodes revealed formation of ZrTiO₄, which may be responsible for inhibition of Ni coarsening leading to stable cell performance.