ZrO2–CeO2 assimilated electroless Ni–P anti-corrosion coatings

• Published in: Surfaces and interfaces 2020-12, Vol.21, p.100704, Article 100704
• Main Authors: Chinchu, K.S., Riyas, A.H., Ameen Sha, M., Geethanjali, C.V., Saji, Viswanathan S., Shibli, S.M.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Corrosion; Electroless coating; Mild steel; Ni–P–ZrO2–CeO2; ZrO2–CeO2
• ISSN: 2468-0230; 2468-0230
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfin.2020.100704

•ZrO2–CeO2 nanocomposite was prepared by a wet thermal decomposition method and characterized systematically.•The composite was successfully assimilated to industrially relevant Ni-P electroless coating.•The developed Ni–P–ZrO2–CeO2 composite coating presented excellent mechanical and corrosion resistance properties.•High-temperature annealing further improved coating performance. ZrO2–CeO2 nanocomposites are well known for their superior mechanical, thermal and tribological properties. On the other hand, Ni–P electroless coatings are in widespread industrial usage. In this work, we attempted to assimilate the lab-made ZrO2–CeO2 nanocomposite into Ni–P electroless coating to achieve synergistic property enhancement through composition optimization. Several techniques thoroughly characterized both the as-prepared nanocomposite powder and the Ni–P–ZrO2–CeO2 composite coating. The results proved that the nanocomposite assimilation refined coating surface morphology and boosted mechanical, tribological and corrosion resistance properties. Post-high-temperature annealing at 350 °C, significantly improved the coating performance, which was attributed to the annealing induced morphology refinement and crystallization. [Display omitted]