The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Fafeng Xia - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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preparation and wear properties of ni tin sic Nanocoatings obtained by pulse current electrodeposition
Ceramics International, 2020Co-Authors: Fafeng Xia, Wenqing LiuAbstract:Abstract In this report, Ni/TiN–SiC Nanocoatings were designed by pulse current electrodeposition (PCE) technique. The influence of plating parameters on morphology, microstructure, microhardness, and wear behavior of the as-obtained coatings were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), triboindentry, and abrasion testing. Results indicated incorporation of numerous TiN and SiC nanoparticles in Ni/TiN–SiC Nanocoatings prepared at 4 A/dm2. Average sizes of TiN and SiC nanoparticles were estimated to 45.9 nm and 37.2 nm, respectively. Cross-sectional views of nanocoating obtained at 4 A/dm2 revealed high concentrations of Ti (19.6 at%), Si (12.1 at%), and Ni (53.3 at%). Hence, Ni/TiN–SiC nanocoating deposited at 4 A/dm2 with average microhardness of 848.5 Hv illustrated the highest microhardness when compared to other Nanocoatings. On the other hand, wear rate of Ni/TiN–SiC nanocoating prepared at 4 A/dm2 was only 13.6 mg/min, indicating excellent wear resistance. In addition, only some small surface scratches were observed, indicating outstanding wear performance.
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Preparation and characterization of Ni–AlN Nanocoatings deposited by magnetic field assisted electrodeposition technique
Ceramics International, 2020Co-Authors: Fafeng Xia, Guo XueAbstract:Abstract In this study, traditional nickel coating and Ni–AlN Nanocoatings were deposited on mild steel surfaces using magnetic field-assisted electrodeposition (MFAED) technique. Microstructures, compositions, and microhardness values of Nanocoatings were examined by digital holographic microscopy (DHM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microhardness, wear, and corrosion properties of Nanocoatings were also examined. The nanocoating prepared at 0.4 T (abbreviated as S-0.4) showed uniform and compact structure with AlN and Ni sizes around 42.7 nm and 84.2 nm, respectively. Diffraction peaks of nickel grains became broader and lower in intensity as magnetic field rose from 0.2 T to 0.4 T, indicating nickel grains refinement in S-0.4 nanocoating. Among three coatings, S-0.4 nanocoating exhibited the highest microhardness with average value of 846.2 Hv and lowest mass loss of 46.4 mg. By comparison, S-0 coating exhibited the highest mass loss with average value of 95.7 mg. S-0.4 nanocoating exhibited the minimum corrosion current density of 0.35 × 10−4 A/cm2, demonstrating the best corrosion resistance among all three coatings.
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Simulation and characterization of Ni–doped SiC Nanocoatings prepared by jet electrodeposition
Ceramics International, 2017Co-Authors: Wei Cui, Fafeng Xia, Ke Wang, Peter WangAbstract:Abstract Ni–doped SiC Nanocoatings were successfully prepared by jet electrodeposition in this paper. Jet fluid process was simulated by using FLUENT software, and the microstructure, corrosion behavior and mechanical properties of the Nanocoatings were examined through the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical workstation and triboindenter nanomechanical tester. Results indicated that when nozzle diameter was Φ8 mm, maximum jet rate and kinetic energy were 113 m/s and 543 m 2 /s 2 , respectively. SEM and XRD results demonstrated that Ni-doped SiC Nanocoatings produced at Φ8 mm had fine, uniform and smooth microstructure, and average grain diameters of Ni and SiC were 344 nm and 75 nm, respectively. Among three diameters of nickel nozzles considered, Ni–doped SiC nanocoating produced at Φ8 mm had minimum average corrosion current density of 0.66 × 10 −4 A/cm 2 , thereby indicating the best corrosion resistance. Ni–doped SiC nanocoating deposited at a diameter of Φ8 mm exhibited the highest nanohardness (~ 33.4 GPa) among all three coatings, whereas the coating prepared at Φ4 mm had the lowest nanohardness (~ 23.7 GPa).
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Microstructure and corrosion properties of Ni-TiN Nanocoatings prepared by jet pulse electrodeposition
Ceramics International, 2017Co-Authors: Fafeng Xia, Wanchun Jia, Minzheng Jiang, Wei Cui, Jeremy WangAbstract:Abstract Ni–TiN Nanocoatings were successfully prefabricated by jet pulse electrodeposition. The effect of jet rate on cross-sectional composition, microstructure, microhardness, and corrosion properties of Nanocoatings was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscopy, microhardness tester and electrochemical workstation. Results illustrated that Ni–TiN Nanocoatings deposited at jet rate of 3 m/s exhibited high concentration of Ni and Ti with average concentrations of Ni and Ti of 54.5 at% and 19.8 at%, respectively. Average diameters of Ni grains and TiN nanoparticles in Ni–TiN Nanocoatings prepared at 3 m/s were 47.8 nm and 30.5 nm, respectively. Nanocoatings deposited at 1 m/s, 3 m/s and 5 m/s showed surface root-mean-square roughness value of 95.431, 30.091 and 58.454 nm, respectively, and presented maximum microhardness of 789.5, 876.2, and 849.9 HV, respectively. Ni–TiN nanocoating obtained at 3 m/s demonstrated minimum I corr and E corr values of 1.02 × 10 −3 mA/cm 2 and − 0.551 V, respectively, signifying to offer the best corrosion resistance.
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Jet pulse electrodeposition and characterization of Ni–AlN Nanocoatings in presence of ultrasound
Ceramics International, 2017Co-Authors: Minzheng Jiang, Wei Cui, Fafeng XiaAbstract:Abstract In current study, Ni–AlN Nanocoatings were successfully prepared by adopting the jet pulse electrodeposition (JPE) technique with ultrasound. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Vickers microhardness test, electrochemical workstation and friction wear tests were utilized to investigate the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion degree and wear resistance of the coatings. The results indicated that the Ni–AlN Nanocoatings deposited by using ultrasound demonstrated the minimum and most compact surface structure compared to the other coatings. The thicknesses of Ni coating and Ni–AlN Nanocoatings were approximately 56 µm. The average atomic percent of Al and Ni elements in the Ni–AlN nano-coating prepared by using ultrasound, were approximately 21.4 at% and 47.5 at%, respectively. The maximum kinetic energy of the jet plating solution was 916 m2/s2 during JPE-deposited Ni-AlN Nanocoatings including ultrasound. The average micro-hardness value of the nano-coating prepared by using ultrasound equaled 767.9 HV. The Ni–AlN Nanocoatings prepared using ultrasound had the minimum Ecorr and Icorr values of − 0.167 V and 6.363 × 10−6 mA/cm2, respectively. In this case, the demonstrated corrosion resistance was the most efficient. The Ni–AlN Nanocoatings prepared using ultrasound sustained the minimum friction coefficients and the average friction coefficient was approximately 0.52. In contrast, the JPE-deposited Ni coating presented the maximum friction coefficient, while the average friction coefficient was approximately 1.43.
Vladimir L Katanaev - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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reverse and forward engineering of drosophila corneal Nanocoatings
Nature, 2020Co-Authors: Mikhail Kryuchkov, Oleksii Bilousov, Jannis Lehmann, Manfred Fiebig, Vladimir L KatanaevAbstract:Insect eyes have an anti-reflective coating, owing to nanostructures on the corneal surface creating a gradient of refractive index between that of air and that of the lens material1,2. These Nanocoatings have also been shown to provide anti-adhesive functionality3. The morphology of corneal Nanocoatings are very diverse in arthropods, with nipple-like structures that can be organized into arrays or fused into ridge-like structures4. This diversity can be attributed to a reaction–diffusion mechanism4 and patterning principles developed by Alan Turing5, which have applications in numerous biological settings6. The Nanocoatings on insect corneas are one example of such Turing patterns, and the first known example of nanoscale Turing patterns4. Here we demonstrate a clear link between the morphology and function of the Nanocoatings on Drosophila corneas. We find that Nanocoatings that consist of individual protrusions have better anti-reflective properties, whereas partially merged structures have better anti-adhesion properties. We use biochemical analysis and genetic modification techniques to reverse engineer the protein Retinin and corneal waxes as the building blocks of the nanostructures. In the context of Turing patterns, these building blocks fulfil the roles of activator and inhibitor, respectively. We then establish low-cost production of Retinin, and mix this synthetic protein with waxes to forward engineer various artificial Nanocoatings with insect-like morphology and anti-adhesive or anti-reflective function. Our combined reverse- and forward-engineering approach thus provides a way to economically produce functional nanostructured coatings from biodegradable materials. The building blocks of the nanostructures observed on Drosophila corneas are determined, and then used to create artificial nanostructures with anti-reflective and anti-adhesive properties.
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Reverse and forward engineering of Drosophila corneal Nanocoatings.
Nature, 2020Co-Authors: Mikhail Kryuchkov, Oleksii Bilousov, Jannis Lehmann, Manfred Fiebig, Vladimir L KatanaevAbstract:Insect eyes have an anti-reflective coating, owing to nanostructures on the corneal surface creating a gradient of refractive index between that of air and that of the lens material1,2. These Nanocoatings have also been shown to provide anti-adhesive functionality3. The morphology of corneal Nanocoatings are very diverse in arthropods, with nipple-like structures that can be organized into arrays or fused into ridge-like structures4. This diversity can be attributed to a reaction-diffusion mechanism4 and patterning principles developed by Alan Turing5, which have applications in numerous biological settings6. The Nanocoatings on insect corneas are one example of such Turing patterns, and the first known example of nanoscale Turing patterns4. Here we demonstrate a clear link between the morphology and function of the Nanocoatings on Drosophila corneas. We find that Nanocoatings that consist of individual protrusions have better anti-reflective properties, whereas partially merged structures have better anti-adhesion properties. We use biochemical analysis and genetic modification techniques to reverse engineer the protein Retinin and corneal waxes as the building blocks of the nanostructures. In the context of Turing patterns, these building blocks fulfil the roles of activator and inhibitor, respectively. We then establish low-cost production of Retinin, and mix this synthetic protein with waxes to forward engineer various artificial Nanocoatings with insect-like morphology and anti-adhesive or anti-reflective function. Our combined reverse- and forward-engineering approach thus provides a way to economically produce functional nanostructured coatings from biodegradable materials.
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Alternative moth-eye nanostructures: antireflective properties and composition of dimpled corneal Nanocoatings in silk-moth ancestors
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2017Co-Authors: Mikhail Kryuchkov, Jannis Lehmann, Manfred Fiebig, Jakob Schaab, Vsevolod Cherepanov, Artem Blagodatski, Vladimir L KatanaevAbstract:Moth-eye nanostructures are a well-known example of biological antireflective surfaces formed by pseudoregular arrays of nipples and are often used as a template for biomimetic materials. Here, we provide morphological characterization of corneal nanostructures of moths from the Bombycidae family, including strains of domesticated Bombyx mori silk-moth, its wild ancestor Bombyx mandarina , and a more distantly related Apatelodes torrefacta . We find high diversification of the nanostructures and strong antireflective properties they provide. Curiously, the nano-dimple pattern of B. mandarina is found to reduce reflectance as efficiently as the nanopillars of A. torrefacta . Access to genome sequence of Bombyx further permitted us to pinpoint corneal proteins, likely contributing to formation of the antireflective Nanocoatings. These findings open the door to bioengineering of nanostructures with novel properties, as well as invite industry to expand traditional moth-eye Nanocoatings with the alternative ones described here.
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under and over water halves of gyrinidae beetle eyes harbor different corneal Nanocoatings providing adaptation to the water and air environments
Scientific Reports, 2015Co-Authors: Artem Blagodatski, Michail Kryuchkov, Anton Sergeev, Andrey A Klimov, Maxim R Shcherbakov, Gennadiy A Enin, Vladimir L KatanaevAbstract:Under- and over-water halves of Gyrinidae beetle eyes harbor different corneal Nanocoatings providing adaptation to the water and air environments
Richard D Handy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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antibacterial activity and biofilm inhibition by surface modified titanium alloy medical implants following application of silver titanium dioxide and hydroxyapatite Nanocoatings
Nanotoxicology, 2017Co-Authors: Alexander Besinis, Sanna Dara Hadi, Huirong Le, Christopher Tredwin, Richard D HandyAbstract:AbstractOne of the most common causes of implant failure is peri-implantitis, which is caused by bacterial biofilm formation on the surfaces of dental implants. Modification of the surface nanotopography has been suggested to affect bacterial adherence to implants. Silver nanoparticles are also known for their antibacterial properties. In this study, titanium alloy implants were surface modified following silver plating, anodisation and sintering techniques to create a combination of silver, titanium dioxide and hydroxyapatite (HA) Nanocoatings. Their antibacterial performance was quantitatively assessed by measuring the growth of Streptococcus sanguinis, proportion of live/dead cells and lactate production by the microbes over 24 h. Application of a dual layered silver–HA nanocoating to the surface of implants successfully inhibited bacterial growth in the surrounding media (100% mortality), whereas the formation of bacterial biofilm on the implant surfaces was reduced by 97.5%. Uncoated controls and tit...
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antibacterial activity and biofilm inhibition by surface modified titanium alloy medical implants following application of silver titanium dioxide and hydroxyapatite Nanocoatings
Nanotoxicology, 2017Co-Authors: Alexander Besinis, Sanna Dara Hadi, Christopher Tredwin, Richard D HandyAbstract:One of the most common causes of implant failure is peri-implantitis, which is caused by bacterial biofilm formation on the surfaces of dental implants. Modification of the surface nanotopography has been suggested to affect bacterial adherence to implants. Silver nanoparticles are also known for their antibacterial properties. In this study, titanium alloy implants were surface modified following silver plating, anodisation and sintering techniques to create a combination of silver, titanium dioxide and hydroxyapatite (HA) Nanocoatings. Their antibacterial performance was quantitatively assessed by measuring the growth of Streptococcus sanguinis, proportion of live/dead cells and lactate production by the microbes over 24 h. Application of a dual layered silver-HA nanocoating to the surface of implants successfully inhibited bacterial growth in the surrounding media (100% mortality), whereas the formation of bacterial biofilm on the implant surfaces was reduced by 97.5%. Uncoated controls and titanium dioxide Nanocoatings showed no antibacterial effect. Both silver and HA Nanocoatings were found to be very stable in biological fluids with material loss, as a result of dissolution, to be less than 0.07% for the silver Nanocoatings after 24 h in a modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer. No dissolution was detected for the HA Nanocoatings. Thus, application of a dual layered silver-HA nanocoating to titanium alloy implants creates a surface with antibiofilm properties without compromising the HA biocompatibility required for successful osseointegration and accelerated bone healing.
Jaime C Grunlan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Extreme Heat Shielding of Clay/Chitosan Nanobrick Wall on Flexible Foam
2018Co-Authors: Simone Lazar, Federico Carosio, Anne-lise Davesne, Maude Jimenez, Serge Bourbigot, Jaime C GrunlanAbstract:Flexible polyurethane foam (PUF) is widely used in bedding, transportation, and furniture, despite being highly flammable. In an effort to decrease the flammability of the polymer, an environmentally friendly flame retardant coating was deposited on polyurethane foam (PUF) via layer-by-layer assembly. Treated foam was subjected to three different fire scenarios, 10 s torch test, cone calorimetry, and a 900 s burn-through test, to evaluate the thermal shielding behavior of an eight bilayer chitosan/vermiculite clay nanocoating. In each fire scenario, the nanocoating acts as a thermal shield from the flames by successfully protecting the backside of the PUF, whereas the side directly exposed to the flame results in a hollowed nanocoating that maintains the complex three-dimensional porous structure of the foam. Cone calorimetry reveals that the coating reduces the peak heat release rate and total smoke release by 53 and 63%, respectively, whereas a temperature gradient greater than 200 °C is observed across a 2.5 cm thick coated foam sample during the rigorous burn-through fire test. The thermal shielding behavior of this polymer/clay nanocoating makes this system very attractive in improving the fire safety of polyurethane foam used for insulating applications
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inorganic nanoparticle thin film that suppresses flammability of polyurethane with only a single electrostatically assembled bilayer
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2014Co-Authors: Debabrata Patra, Prithvi Vangal, Amanda A Cain, Oren Regev, Jaime C GrunlanAbstract:In an effort to reduce the flammability of polyurethane foam, a thin film of renewable inorganic nanoparticles (i.e., anionic vermiculite [VMT] and cationic boehmite [BMT]) was deposited on polyurethane foam via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. One, two, and three bilayers (BL) of BMT-VMT resulted in foam with retained shape after being exposed to a butane flame for 10 s, while uncoated foam was completely consumed. Cone calorimetry confirmed that the coated foam exhibited a 55% reduction in peak heat release rate with only a single bilayer deposited. Moreover, this protective nanocoating reduced total smoke release by 50% relative to untreated foam. This study revealed that 1 BL, adding just 4.5 wt % to PU foam, is an effective and conformal flame retardant coating. These results demonstrate one of the most efficient and renewable Nanocoatings prepared using LbL assembly, taking this technology another step closer to commercial viability.
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surface coating for flame retardant behavior of cotton fabric using a continuous layer by layer process
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2014Co-Authors: Sechin Chang, Ryan Slopek, Brian Condon, Jaime C GrunlanAbstract:Cotton’s exceptional softness, breathability, and absorbency have made it America’s best-selling textile fiber; however, cotton textiles are generally more combustible than their synthetic counterparts. In this study, a continuous layer-by-layer self-assembly technique was used to deposit polymer–clay Nanocoatings on cotton fabrics to enhance their flame retardancy. Alternating layers of positively charged branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) with urea and diammonium phosphate and negatively charged clay nanoparticles were continuously applied to the fabrics in a single process without rinsing. The morphology and flame-retardant properties of the coated fabrics were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a variety of flammability tests. The treated fabrics exhibited improved thermal stability, as evidenced by increased ignition times and lower heat release rates. The results of this study show that flame-retardant Nanocoatings can be readily applied to textile fabrics using a continuous pr...
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phosphorous filled nanobrick wall multilayer thin film eliminates polyurethane melt dripping and reduces heat release associated with fire
Polymer Degradation and Stability, 2013Co-Authors: Amanda A Cain, Craig R Nolen, Yuchin Li, Rick D Davis, Jaime C GrunlanAbstract:Abstract Unique trilayer (TL) thin films of sodium montmorillonite (MMT), poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP) are prepared via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly. This three-component nanocoating completely shuts down melt dripping and reduces heat release of open-celled flexible polyurethane (PU) foam when exposed to direct flame due to a synergistic interaction between PSP and the thermally shielding clay platelets in the condensed phase. Post burn scanning electron microscopy reveals the nanocoating's swollen morphology is able to maintain foam shape, cellular structure, and porosity. Cone calorimetry reveals that 4 TL coated foams (
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clay chitosan nanobrick walls completely renewable gas barrier and flame retardant Nanocoatings
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2012Co-Authors: Galina Laufer, Amanda A Cain, Christopher Kirkland, Jaime C GrunlanAbstract:Thin films prepared via a layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of renewable materials exhibit exceptional oxygen barrier and flame-retardant properties. Positively charged chitosan (CH), at two different pH levels (pH 3 and pH 6), was paired with anionic montmorillonite (MMT) clay nanoplatelets. Thin-film assemblies prepared with CH at high pH are thicker, because if the low polymer charge density. A 30-bilayer (CH pH 6-MMT) nanocoating (∼100 nm thick) reduces the oxygen permeability of a 0.5-mm-thick polylactic acid film by four orders of magnitude. This same coating system completely stops the melting of a flexible polyurethane foam, when exposed to direct flame from a butane torch, with just 10 bilayers (∼30 nm thick). Cone calorimetry confirms that this coated foam exhibited a reduced peak heat-release rate, by as much as 52%, relative to the uncoated control. These environmentally benign Nanocoatings could prove beneficial for new types of food packaging or a replacement for environmentally persistent antif...
Minzheng Jiang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Jet pulse electrodeposition and characterization of Ni–AlN Nanocoatings in presence of ultrasound
Ceramics International, 2017Co-Authors: Minzheng Jiang, Wei Cui, Fafeng XiaAbstract:Abstract In current study, Ni–AlN Nanocoatings were successfully prepared by adopting the jet pulse electrodeposition (JPE) technique with ultrasound. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Vickers microhardness test, electrochemical workstation and friction wear tests were utilized to investigate the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion degree and wear resistance of the coatings. The results indicated that the Ni–AlN Nanocoatings deposited by using ultrasound demonstrated the minimum and most compact surface structure compared to the other coatings. The thicknesses of Ni coating and Ni–AlN Nanocoatings were approximately 56 µm. The average atomic percent of Al and Ni elements in the Ni–AlN nano-coating prepared by using ultrasound, were approximately 21.4 at% and 47.5 at%, respectively. The maximum kinetic energy of the jet plating solution was 916 m2/s2 during JPE-deposited Ni-AlN Nanocoatings including ultrasound. The average micro-hardness value of the nano-coating prepared by using ultrasound equaled 767.9 HV. The Ni–AlN Nanocoatings prepared using ultrasound had the minimum Ecorr and Icorr values of − 0.167 V and 6.363 × 10−6 mA/cm2, respectively. In this case, the demonstrated corrosion resistance was the most efficient. The Ni–AlN Nanocoatings prepared using ultrasound sustained the minimum friction coefficients and the average friction coefficient was approximately 0.52. In contrast, the JPE-deposited Ni coating presented the maximum friction coefficient, while the average friction coefficient was approximately 1.43.
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Microstructure and corrosion properties of Ni-TiN Nanocoatings prepared by jet pulse electrodeposition
Ceramics International, 2017Co-Authors: Fafeng Xia, Wanchun Jia, Minzheng Jiang, Wei Cui, Jeremy WangAbstract:Abstract Ni–TiN Nanocoatings were successfully prefabricated by jet pulse electrodeposition. The effect of jet rate on cross-sectional composition, microstructure, microhardness, and corrosion properties of Nanocoatings was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscopy, microhardness tester and electrochemical workstation. Results illustrated that Ni–TiN Nanocoatings deposited at jet rate of 3 m/s exhibited high concentration of Ni and Ti with average concentrations of Ni and Ti of 54.5 at% and 19.8 at%, respectively. Average diameters of Ni grains and TiN nanoparticles in Ni–TiN Nanocoatings prepared at 3 m/s were 47.8 nm and 30.5 nm, respectively. Nanocoatings deposited at 1 m/s, 3 m/s and 5 m/s showed surface root-mean-square roughness value of 95.431, 30.091 and 58.454 nm, respectively, and presented maximum microhardness of 789.5, 876.2, and 849.9 HV, respectively. Ni–TiN nanocoating obtained at 3 m/s demonstrated minimum I corr and E corr values of 1.02 × 10 −3 mA/cm 2 and − 0.551 V, respectively, signifying to offer the best corrosion resistance.
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Application of artificial neural networks to predict the hardness of Ni–TiN Nanocoatings fabricated by pulse electrodeposition
Surface & Coatings Technology, 2016Co-Authors: Minzheng Jiang, Fafeng Xia, Yue ZhangAbstract:Abstract A three-layer backward propagation (BP) model was used to predict the hardness of Ni–TiN Nanocoatings fabricated by pulse electrodeposition. The effect of plating parameters, namely, TiN particle concentration, current density, pulse frequency, and duty ratio on the hardness of Ni–TiN Nanocoatings was investigated. The morphology, structure, and hardness of Ni–TiN Nanocoatings were verified using scanning electron microscopy, white-light interfering profilometry, high-resolution transmission emission microscopy, and Rockwell hardness testing. The results indicated that the surface roughness of the Ni–TiN nanocoating is approximately 0.12 μm. The average grain sizes of Ni and TiN on the Ni–TiN nanocoating are 62 and 30 nm, respectively. The optimum conditions for fabricating Ni–TiN Nanocoatings based on the greatest hardness of Ni–TiN deposits are as follows: TiN particle concentration of 8 g/L, current density of 5 A/dm 2 , pulse frequency of 80 Hz, and duty ratio of 0.7. We conclude that the BP model, with a maximum error of approximately 1.03%, can effectively predict the hardness of Ni–TiN Nanocoatings.
