Construction of NiCo/graphene nanocomposite coating with bulges-like morphology for enhanced mechanical properties and corrosion resistance performance

Coatings with good mechanical, wear, erosion and corrosion protection properties are needed to protect the structural metals such as steels, which are enormously used in several engineering applications. For this purpose, NiCo and NiCo/rGO coatings are constructed onto the Q235 carbon steel through an electrochemical co-deposition process. The outcomes of this study deliver good mechanical properties and show better corrosion resistance against a corrosive environment. The incorporation of rGO nanoplatelets enable good mechanical and reinforcing properties as well as assist in the growth of unique sphere-like morphology with a higher microhardness of 590 HV and enhanced corrosion resistance 17.5 R-ct/k Omega cm(2) as compared to NiCo containing 325 HV and 4.55 R-ct/k Omega cm(2), respectively. In addition, the remarkable grain refinement is observed owing to the reinforcement of rGO platelets that support the formation of a large number of grain boundaries with less crystal growth and provide surface roughness as well as the cavities or pores are also filled by rGO platelets, which eventually contribute in enhancing the mechanical and corrosion properties of the steel substrate. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Coatings of NiCo and NiCo/rGO were constructed onto Q235 carbon steel surface through an electrochemical co-deposition process, achieving good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The addition of rGO nanoplatelets resulted in enhanced mechanical properties, unique morphology, higher microhardness, and improved corrosion resistance compared to NiCo coatings.