Journal of Coatings

Volume 2014 (2014), Article ID 659697, 10 pages

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/659697

Research Article

Studies on the Codeposition of SiC Nanopowder with Nickel, Cobalt, and Co-Ni Alloys

Ewa Rudnik and Sławomir Syrek

Department of Physical Chemistry and Metallurgy of Non-Ferrous Metals, Faculty of Non-Ferrous Metals, AGH University of Science and Technology, Aleja Mickiewicza 30, 30-059 Cracow, Poland

Received 5 February 2014; Revised 3 July 2014; Accepted 14 July 2014; Published 23 July 2014

Academic Editor: Fahmina Zafar

Copyright © 2014 Ewa Rudnik and Sławomir Syrek. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Electrodeposition of SiC nanopowder (approximately 120 nm) with nickel, cobalt, and Co-Ni alloy matrix was studied. It was found that particles suspended in the bath affect slightly the reduction of metallic ions. Incorporation of the ceramic particles was governed mainly by the morphology of the matrix surface, while no strict correlation between the amount of cobalt ions adsorbed on the powder and the SiC content in the composites was found. Microhardness of nickel deposits was  HV, while for cobalt-rich coatings (84–95 wt.% Co) the values were in the range of 260–290 HV, independently of the SiC content in the coatings. Fine-grained nickel deposits were characterized by good corrosion resistance, while cobalt and Co-Ni alloys showed high corrosion current densities.

1. Introduction

Electrodeposited composite coatings consist of intentionally joined together two or more components (i.e., matrix and reinforcement) with different properties receiving a new unique and macroscopically monolithic material exhibiting desirable, better, or different characteristics in comparison with each individual component or only mixed together. Properties of the composites are determined not only by a kind of matrix (metal or alloy), but also by the type and size of the incorporated particles. Various metal-particle combinations have been developed [1, 2]. Among them nickel matrix composites seem to be the most investigated systems [1–6], while composite coatings based on cobalt [1, 7–9] and Co-Ni alloys [10–13] were studied in a lesser extent. Coatings are reinforced usually with ceramic particles as carbides, oxides, nitrides, borides, and so forth. Such materials show high hardness and strength, but a decrease in the properties at elevated temperatures can occur in some cases [14].

A series of our previous studies on the codeposition of the composites was carried out using micron-sized SiC particles. The percentage of ceramic phase in the electrodeposited Ni, Co, and Co-Ni alloy matrix composites as well as some properties of the layers determined in the dependence on the powder concentration in the plating bath, current density, and the presence of some additives were reported [14–19]. The present paper is focused on understanding the influence of the electrolyte composition and the presence of SiC nanoparticles in the plating bath on the course of the cathodic reactions as well as composition, morphology, and some properties of the deposits. It is known that behavior of nanoparticles during electrodeposition differs seriously from that observed for the particles with larger sizes [1, 2]. For example, it was found that increase in the concentration of SiC microparticles in the bath was accompanied by an increase in the particle’s content in the Ni or Ni-Co alloy matrix to a certain constant value [6, 19], while for nanoparticles a maximum followed by subsequent strong inhibition of the incorporation was observed [20, 21]. However, some literature data show also that other effects and saturation state of particles in the deposits can be reached at high nanoparticle concentration in the suspension [2]. It was also observed that incorporation of very fine particles (approx. 20 nm) results in the change of the crystalline structure of the metallic coatings and a decrease in the size of the matrix grains [2, 10]. It was attributed to the adsorption of the nanoparticles on the cathode surface and, therefore, increased surface area available for nucleation of metal grains. It is also commonly accepted that adsorption of the metal ions can promote incorporation of the particles into the metal matrix [1, 2, 15, 19], thus affecting the electrophoretic phenomena of nanoparticles as well [1]. Similar phenomenon was observed for cobalt ions in the Ni-Co/Al₂O₃ [11] and Ni/SiC [13, 22] systems. Hence, the aim of this work was mainly to determine the factors influencing the amount of the nanosized SiC particles incorporated into the metallic deposit from the acidic baths of various Ni(II)/Co(II) concentration ratios.

2. Experimental

Metallic and composite coatings were electrodeposited from the sulphate-chloride solutions of various Co(II) : Ni(II) ions concentration ratios (2 : 1, 1 : 1, and 1 : 2). SiC nanopowder (Sigma-Aldrich) with an average grain diameter of 110–130 nm was used. pH of the solutions was 4.4. Detailed composition of the baths is presented in Table 1. Electrolysis was carried out at room temperature in a cuboid vessel containing 0.4 dm³ of the electrolyte. Three electrodes were hung vertically and parallel to each other. Copper plate (18 cm²) as the cathode substrate and a couple of nickel and/or cobalt anodes were used. Copper substrates were polished in the mixture of concentrated acids (HNO₃ : CH₃COOH : H₃PO₄ in 1 : 1 : 2 volume ratio) for 90 s at room temperature, rinsed with deionized water and acetone, and dried. After deposition, all samples were washed in deionized water and then in acetone using ultrasonic cleaner (each step for 5 min.). The electrolytic bath was agitated with a magnetic stirrer with a rotation rate of 630 rpm. For the composite preparation, suspension was additionally agitated for 45 min. before each experiment to preserve sedimentation of the powder in the electrolytic cell. The metallic and composite layers were deposited at the constant current density of 1 A·dm⁻² for 120 min. A copper coulometer was used for determination of the total charge flowing through the electric circuit.

Table 1: Composition of the baths.

Component
Bath type

Co, Co/SiC
Ni, Ni/SiC
CoNi-1, CoNi-1/SiC
CoNi-2, CoNi-2/SiC
CoNi-3, CoNi-3/SiC

Concentration, g·dm⁻³

CoSO₄·7H₂O
25
—
20
12.5
5

CoCl₂·6H₂O
200
—
130
100
70

NiSO₄·7H₂O
—
25
5
12.5
20

NiCl₂·6H₂O
—
200
70
100
130

H₃BO₃
25
25
25
25
25

Saccharin
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5

SiC
5
5
5
5
5

Co(II) : Ni(II)
—
—
2 : 1
1 : 1
1 : 2

Cathodic polarization curves were registered under potentiodynamic conditions. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was realized from open circuit potential (OCP) to −1000 mV versus saturated calomel electrode (SCE) at a sweep rate of 10 mV·s⁻¹ (Atlas Sollich EII Potentiostat). Prior to each measurement, a metallic layer was electrodeposited for 30 min. at the current density of 1 A·dm⁻².

Composition of the deposits was determined using EDS analysis, while morphology of the coatings was observed using SEM (Hitachi S4700) and AFM (Integra Aura) microscopes. Pure metals were also analyzed by means of TEM microscope (JEM 2010ARP). Vickers hardness of the deposits was measured on the surface of the samples with a microhardness method at the load of 50 g (PMT-3). Corrosion resistance of the coatings was determined in 10% H₂SO₄ at room temperature. LSV curves were registered from −1000 mV to 500 mV (SCE) at the potential scan rate of 10 mV·s⁻¹.

Adsorption of Ni(II) and Co(II) ions was determined in diluted (1 : 100) working baths (pH 4.4). Solution samples of 50 cm³ were mixed with 0.2 g of the SiC powder in all experiments. After 120 min., SiC particles were centrifuged and final Ni(II) and Co(II) concentrations were determined by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy (Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrometer 3110).

Potential zeta of the SiC powder was determined in 1 mM NaCl solutions of the pH from the range from 2 to 6 (adjusted with 0.05 M HCl). Measurements were performed at room temperature using “Zetasizer Nano” apparatus.

In all experiments SiC particles were used as received, without any former cleaning procedure.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Electrochemical Studies

The cathodic polarization curves for Ni, Co, and Co-Ni alloys as well as composites were determined in potentiodynamic conditions (Figure 1). It was observed that electrodeposition was accompanied by high polarization of the electrode and the process started usually at overpotentials reaching more than 250 mV. For two cases, Co and CoNi-3 alloy deposition, the presence of SiC particles in the bath seemed to have no effect on the course of the polarization curves. For other systems, increase in the cathodic polarization by the carbide nanoparticles was observed.

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

Figure 1: The influence of the electrolyte composition and SiC presence on the cathodic polarization curves.

The most inhibited process was reduction of nickel ions for both pure matrix and composite deposition. The rate of the cathodic reaction registered during nickel deposition at the potential of −1000 mV (SCE) corresponded to a current density of approximately 25 mA·cm⁻² while in the solutions containing cobalt ions of the same concentration a current density of about 70 mA·cm⁻² was found. Gradual increase in cobalt ions concentration in the nickel baths enhanced the cathodic reaction (alloy deposition) in comparison with the deposition of pure components, despite having the same level of the total concentration of the electroactive ions.

In the SiC suspensions, the highest cathodic currents were observed for CoNi-3/SiC composite deposition, while increase in the cobalt ions percentage in the suspensions led to a gradual inhibition of the electrode reactions.

Similar influence of cobalt ions on the course of the cathodic polarization curves was observed for other Co-Ni alloy matrix composites [11, 13], independently of Co(II)/Ni(II) concentration ratio in the solution but for nickel content higher than that of cobalt. However, at increased level of cobalt ions concentration in the bath, addition of nickel ions practically did not change the polarization behavior in the Co-Ni/Al₂O₃ system [11].

In all cases increasing concentration of nickel ions shifted stationary electrode potential (at ) towards more positive values, which was in accordance with the positions of the metals in the electrochemical series (Table 2). The results ​​obtained for Co/Co(II) and Ni/Ni(II) electrodes were compared with the equilibrium potentials calculated according to the Nernst equation. Obtained potentials were −522 mV and −501 mV versus SCE for cobalt and nickel electrode, respectively. They were lower than the experimental values and hence it was concluded that OCP potentials corresponded to the corrosion potentials of both metals.

Table 2: Stationary cathode potential (OCP).

Sample
OCP, mV (SCE)
Sample
OCP, mV (SCE)

Co
−428
Co/SiC
−444

Ni
−221
Ni/SiC
−230

CoNi-1
−409
CoNi-1/SiC
−417

CoNi-2
−389
CoNi-2/SiC
−379

CoNi-3
−330
CoNi-3/SiC
−292

Detailed analysis of the electrochemical data demonstrated that polarization curves of single metals plotted in the Tafel-type coordinate system (not shown) represented linear dependencies of the overpotential on the logarithm of the current density () for currents up to approximately 50–90 mA·cm⁻² (i.e., to −980 mV versus SCE). It shows that charge transfer was a rate-controlling stage of the metal ions reduction. However, the slopes of the straight lines differed significantly from the theoretical value (59 mV·dec⁻¹ for ) and for cobalt and nickel electrodes were equal to 120 mV·dec⁻¹ and 91 mV·dec⁻¹, respectively. For the composites, the respective slopes were higher. However, it should be noted that deposition of nickel and cobalt is accompanied by hydrogen coevolution; hence the slopes determined in the experiment cannot be strictly compared to the theoretical ones. Additionally, the presence of the ceramic particles adsorbed on the electrode surface can affect the cathodic reactions changing the effective area of the working electrode [2]. Similar considerations of the alloy cathodic polarization curves are less valuable since the Tafel equation is derived for single electrode reaction, while two or three cathodic processes can occur during the alloy plating.

3.2. Galvanostatic Electrodeposition

Coatings were deposited at a constant current density. During electrolysis potential of the cathode was registered. It was maintained at constant levels from the range of −820–−920 mV (SCE), depending on the bath composition. It suggests that the cathodic process runs under charge-transfer control, which was in accordance with the previous LSV results.

Table 3 shows the dependence of the current efficiency on the composition of the deposits. SiC contents in the composites were accounted in the calculations, since only nickel and cobalt ions were reduced on the cathode, while ceramic particles were only mechanically entrapped by the growing metallic layer:

where is current efficiency and , , and are mass of the composite, matrix, and SiC in the composite, respectively. Mass of the compositewas determined gravimetrically, while mass of SiC incorporated was calculated according to the weight content of the particles in the deposit. Theoretical mass of the matrix was found from the following formula:

where is total charge flowed through the circuit during electrolysis (determined colorimetrically); %Co and %Ni are percentages of cobalt and nickel in the deposit; and are molar mass of cobalt and nickel, respectively.

Table 3: Cathodic current efficiency and composition of the deposits.

Sample
Current efficiency, %
Composition, wt.%

Co
Ni
SiC

Co
98.4 ± 0.1
100
—
—

Co/SiC
98.6 ± 0.0
99.53
—
0.47

Ni
94.0 ± 0.1
—
100
—

Ni/SiC
95.1 ± 0.3
—
99.97
0.03

CoNi-1
96.3 ± 0.1
95.05
4.95
—

CoNi-1/SiC
95.7 ± 0.1
94.40
5.20
0.40

CoNi-2
94.7 ± 0.0
91.07
8.93
—

CoNi-2/SiC
95.3 ± 0.1
89.80
10.06
0.14

CoNi-3
93.8 ± 0.0
85.08
14.92
—

CoNi-3/SiC
94.8 ± 1.0
83.95
15.87
0.18

The results confirmed the high efficiency of the cathodic processes, since values exceeding 93% were achieved. The highest current efficiencies were obtained for the electrolytes containing higher amounts of the cobalt ions. In general, addition of the SiC particles to the bath had a positive effect on the current efficiency, although the improvement of the deposition was not high. Cathodic efficiencies were consistent with conclusions drawn from the course of the cathodic polarization curves (Figure 1). Increase in the cathodic polarization corresponds to the lower rate of the process carried out at the constant current density. This is especially visible for electrodeposition of pure metals.

Table 3 shows also composition of the alloys and composites. It was observed that despite the various Ni(II) : Co(II) concentration ratios in the baths, cobalt-rich alloys were obtained. It shows that anomalous codeposition exists in the Co-Ni system, where less noble metal (here, cobalt) is deposited preferentially and its percentage in the coatings is higher (85–95 wt.%) than in the bath (33–66 wt.%). It is a known phenomenon, since anomalous alloy deposition is characteristic of the iron-group metals (Co, Ni, and Fe) [11, 23].

The presence of SiC particles did not change the composition of the matrix. Carbide nanoparticles were built into the deposits in very small amounts (less than 0.5 wt.%). The highest SiC content was observed in the Co/SiC coating (0.47 wt.%), while the smallest was in the Ni/SiC layer (0.03 wt.%). The increasing content of cobalt ions in the electrolyte improved incorporation of the ceramic phase.

Yang et al. [13] reported that the presence of Co(II) (0.05 M) in the nickel sulphate solution promotes -SiC codeposition. It was attributed to the strong adsorption of Co(II) ions on the ceramic particles, which increased the electrostatic attraction between the particle and electrode. Wu et al. [11] presented a similar view for Co-Ni/Al₂O₃ system. Wang and Wei [22] observed that addition of small amounts (10⁻⁵ M) of Na₃Co(NO₃)₆ acted as a codeposition catalyst of ultra-fined SiC particles into the nickel matrix. It was suggested that complex of trivalent cobalt can adsorb on the top of Ni(II) cation adsorbed on the ceramic particle and may neutralize the particle charge, thus decreasing the surface potential of SiC particles and enhancing the van der Waals attractive force between adsorbed particle and cathode.

In order to clarify the effect of Co(II) ions on the codeposition of the SiC nanoparticles with the metals and Co–Ni alloys, some surface properties of SiC particles (zeta potential and adsorption properties) and morphology of the deposits were investigated. Obtained results are presented in the next sections.

3.3. Surface Properties of SiC Nanoparticles

Codeposition of the ceramic phase with metallic matrix during the cathodic process is dependent on the particle surface charge [1, 2]. It is commonly accepted that positive surface charge of the particles facilitates their incorporation due to electrostatic attraction of the particles to the negative electrode. It is known that ceramic particles are characterized by a surface charge resulting from the presence of some functional groups as well as adsorbed metal and hydrogen ions [1, 4, 11, 16, 24]. It is assumed that SiC particles are covered with hydroxyl, carboxyl, phenolic, and lactonic superficial species, which can dissociate (acidic groups) or associate (basic groups) hydrogen ions from the aqueous solution. It is accompanied by the formation of negatively (S–O⁻) or positively (S–) charged sites, depending on the electrolyte pH and concentration (ionic strength) [24].

Sign of the particle’s surface charge can be deduced from the measurements of the electrokinetic potential (zeta potential). It is a parameter characterizing electric properties of interfacial layers in dispersions and thus affects their stability. Figure 2 shows the effect of pH (NaCl solutions) on the potential of the SiC powder used in this study. The potentials were positive in the whole pH range studied, although the values decreased with increased alkalization of the electrolyte. Zeta potentials reached +42–+27 mV in the chloride solution. It corresponds to the moderate stability of the suspension [25] and may potentially improve incorporation of the particles into the growing metal layer. However, composite codeposition was carried out in more concentrated chloride-sulphate baths. It modifies the surface charge of the ceramic particles. Usually, decrease in the potential is observed in more concentrated solutions [1, 25], but the general tendency of the changes with increased pH remains the same [4, 26].

Figure 2: Dependence of potential of SiC nanopowder on solution pH (1 mM NaCl).

The sign and value of the surface charge are dependent on the amount of ions adsorbed from the electrolyte, since additional competitive processes on the particles surface can occur. Wu et al. [27] reported that somewhat more positive zeta potentials of alumina particles were obtained with increased Co(II) and Ni(II) ions concentrations in diluted sulphamate solutions (pH 4.0) and these were higher for cobalt bath than for nickel. Moreover, increased fraction of cobalt ions in the cobalt-nickel solutions (total concentrations of metal ions were kept constant) was accompanied by additional rise of the particle’s potential. It corresponded to improved current efficiency of the composite electrodeposition and percentage of incorporated Al₂O₃ into the Co-Ni alloy matrix. Authors concluded that cobalt ions can readily adsorb on the alumina surface increasing the positive surface charge of the particles and thus enhancing codeposition.

Our previous studies on adsorption of Co(II) and Ni(II) ions (separately) on micron-sized SiC powder confirm that cobalt ions can adsorb more easily than nickel ions [19]. Figure 3 shows the influence of Co(II) ions percentage in the solution (in diluted working baths) on the adsorption of the ions on SiC nanopowder. Adsorption of Co(II) and Ni(II) occurred as competitive processes in the same system. It was found that adsorption was more efficient in the solutions containing solely ions of one metal. In the case of the simultaneous presence of both metal ions in the electrolyte, the adsorption was somewhat lower (total amount of adsorbed ions was practically the same in all binary baths, that is, approximately 2.4 mg·g⁻¹ SiC), but it was not strictly proportional to the concentrations of Co(II) and Ni(II) in the solutions.

Figure 3: Effect of the Co(II) content in the bath on the Co(II) adsorption on SiC powder.

Comparison of the data presented in Table 3 and Figure 3 suggests that the presence of cobalt ions can enhance the incorporation of particles into the Co-Ni alloy matrix. However, despite the high adsorption of Ni(II) (6 mg·g⁻¹ SiC) ions on the SiC particles their content in the Ni/SiC composite was the smallest. Ions adsorbed on SiC can ensure electrostatic attraction between the particles and the cathode, but only reduction of such metallic ions guarantees permanent and stable particle inclusion. It is seriously dependent on the current density and hydrodynamic conditions, which in turn determine the time of the particles attachment to the cathode surface that must be sufficient to their incorporation. The present study indicates that the codeposition of the particles is determined also by some other factors, not only by the surface properties of SiC nanopowder.

3.4. Morphology of the Deposits

Microscopic observations of as-plated surfaces of the deposits showed that the presence of cobalt favors development of the surface roughness (Figures 4 and 5). Nickel films were characterized by very even surface. High surface smoothness was not advantageous for entrapment of the nanoparticles. The presence of ceramic powder in the Ni/SiC composite coatings was detected only by means of the AFM microscope, which allowed analyzing the surface morphology at very high magnifications (Figure 6).

Figure 4: SEM micrographs of cobalt and nickel composites.

Figure 5: SEM micrographs of Co-Ni alloys and composites.

Figure 6: AFM micrographs of Ni/SiC composite surface.

Opposite effects were found for cobalt containing deposits. Figures 4 and 5 show that surfaces of cobalt, Co-Ni alloys, and corresponding composites were characterized by irregular profiles with needle-like and branched grains characteristic of hexagonal crystal structure of cobalt and rich-cobalt solid solutions (Figure 7). The presence of nickel (up to 15%) and small amounts of dispersed SiC phase did not affect the morphology of the matrix.

Figure 7: X-ray diffraction patterns of cobalt and CoNi-2 composites.

Detailed observations of the composite coatings revealed that ceramic nanoparticles were incorporated mainly via mechanical entrapment in the surface irregularities. Hence, higher contents of SiC were found in the cobalt containing coatings. It was also found that the SiC particles showed tendency to incorporation into the metallic matrix as the agglomerates.

3.5. Microhardness of the Deposits

Figure 8 shows the microhardness of the electrodeposited coatings. For comparison result of the copper substrate was also presented. In all cases, the metallic layers improved the hardness of the substrate. It was obvious since copper is relatively “soft” metal in comparison with nickel or cobalt. Microhardness of nickel layers was the highest (570–580 HV), while all deposits containing cobalt showed much lower, but similar, values of the microhardness (HV 260–290), independently of the nickel content. This was due to the different crystallographic structures of cobalt and nickel as well as the different sizes of the matrix grains. AFM observations showed that size of the nickel crystallites was about 20–30 nm (deposition of nickel was accompanied by the largest electrode polarization), while the grains of the cobalt-containing layers were of one micrometer (Figure 9). The presence of SiC did not affect the mechanical properties of the matrix, since the percentages of the built ceramic phase were very low.

Figure 8: Microhardness of the metallic layers and composite coatings.

(a)

(b)

Figure 9: TEM micrographs of deposits: (a) nickel, (b) cobalt.

Obtained results are consistent with the data for cobalt-rich Co-Ni/SiC composites. Srivastava et al. [10] reported no improvement in the hardness for nano-SiC powder reinforced Co-Ni composites (68% Co) and the corresponding alloy (approximately 300 HV) despite the fact that change in the morphology of the deposits was observed. It is also worth noting that hardening effect of cobalt is observed mainly for nickel-rich Co-Ni alloys and composites due to gradual change of the morphology, crystalline structure, and refining of the grains of the matrix [11–13].

3.6. Corrosion Resistance of the Deposits

Corrosion resistance of the electrodeposited coatings was determined from the course of the polarization curves registered in H₂SO₄ solution. For this purpose, linear sweep voltammetric curves were recorded in the potential range from −1000 mV to 500 mV. The results were plotted in the — coordinate system. Extrapolation of linear parts of the cathodic and anodic branches to the intersection point allowed determination of corrosion current densities and corrosion potentials. Figure 10 shows the obtained results.

(a)

(b)

Figure 10: Corrosion resistance of deposits in H₂SO₄: (a) polarization curves; (b) current densities and corrosion potentials.

The lowest corrosion current densities were found for nickel layers. It was due to the high smoothness of the coating and very fine-grained structure. Pure cobalt films were characterized by the lowest corrosion resistance, which resulted from the high roughness of the surface (higher actual surface available for electrochemical reactions). The presence of nickel in the alloys improved corrosion resistance of the deposits, despite the significant development of their surface. SiC particles practically did not improve the anticorrosion properties of the metallic coatings. This was probably associated with the formation of galvanic microcells of metal-SiC (semiconductor), which may enhance dissolution of the metal matrix.

4. Conclusions

Electrodeposition of SiC nanopowder with nickel, cobalt, and alloy matrix was studied. It was found that particles suspended in the bath affect slightly the reduction of metallic ions. Incorporation of the ceramic particles was governed mainly by the morphology of the matrix surface, while no strict correlation between the amount of cobalt ions adsorbed on SiC and the SiC content in the composites was found. Higher mechanical entrapment of the particles was observed for cobalt-containing layers due to their high surface roughness. It seems that catalytic effect of cobalt ions on the particles codeposition can be found only for high nickel Co-Ni systems.

Microhardness of nickel deposits was almost twice higher than that for cobalt and Co-Ni alloys. Fine-grained nickel deposits were characterized by high corrosion resistance, but development of the surface roughness enhanced corrosion of the deposits. The presence of SiC in the matrix did not drastically affect the properties of the matrix, since low particles percentages were built in the metallic layers.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

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