Properties enhancement of Ni-P electrodeposited coatings by the incorporation of nanoscale Y2O3 particles

In this study the influence of nanoscale Y2O3 particles on structural, morphological, mechanical and the elemental composition of Ni-P coatings have been investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), microhardness, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Electrodeposition process was implemented to develop a new Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings using different concentrations of Y2O3 of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 g/L. The surface analysis exhibits the formation of intact, homogenous and dense coatings of the nodular structure without observable surface defects such as pores and cracks. The mechanical properties were improved by the incorporation of hard Y(2)O(3 )nanoparticles. The corrosion protection of the as-prepared Ni-P coatings before and after addition of Y2O3 nanoparticles was evaluated using different electrochemical techniques in 3.5 wt% NaCl. The results revealed that Ni-P-1.00 g/L Y2O3 metallic coating posses the highest corrosion protection efficiency (PE), of 90%.