Graphene nanosheet as a new particle dispersant for the jet-electrodeposition of high-performance Ni-P-WC composite coatings

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology 2021-11, Vol.425, p.127740, Article 127740
• Main Authors: Song, Zhaoyang, Zhang, Cheng, Fu, Xiuqing, Zhang, Hongwen, Xian, Jieyu, Lin, Jinran
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Coated electrodes; Corrosion currents; Corrosion potential; Corrosion resistance; Corrosive wear; Dispersants; Dispersion; Graphene; Graphene nanosheets; Hardness measurement; Jet-electrodeposition; Medium carbon steels; Microhardness; Nanoparticles; Nanosheets; Nickel; Protective coatings; Surface properties; Tungsten carbide; WC nanoparticles; Wear resistance; Workstations
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.127740

Graphene nanosheet (GNS) was considered as a new dispersant to inhibit the agglomeration of nanoparticles in plating solution. The addition of graphene nanosheet in jet-electrodeposition could effectively increase the number of nanoparticles deposited in the coating, and give full play to the role of nanoparticles in improving the performance of the coating. Ni-P-WC-GNSs composite coatings were prepared on the #45 steel by jet-electrodeposition to explore the effect of different concentration of GNSs on the properties of nickel-based coatings. Scanning electron microscopy was used to explore the micromorphology, hardness measurement instrument was used to measure microhardness, comprehensive property tester and CS350 electrochemical workstation were used to explore the wear resistance and corrosion resistance. Results indicated that the addition of GNSs could reduce and inhibit the agglomeration of nanoparticles; enhance the surface quality and strengthen the hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the composite coating. With the increase of GNS concentration, the improvement effect initially showed an increasing trend and then a decreasing trend. When the GNSs concentration were 0.4 g/L, the average hardness reached the maximum value of 709.2 HV0.1; the scratch area reached the minimum value of 1381.9 μm2; the corrosion current reached the minimum value of 1.026 × 10−6 A·cm−2, and the corrosion potential reached the maximum value of −0.249 V. Composite coating had the best property at that time, and GNSs inhibited the agglomeration of nanoparticles and significantly improved the coating performance. •Use jet electrodeposition to prepare composite coatings with excellent performance•Graphene nanosheets (GNSs) were added to inhibit the agglomeration of nanoparticles.•Explore the effect of concentrations of GNSs on the performance of coatings