{"title":"Preparation and wear assessment of Ni–TiN thin films deposited on the surface of Q345 steel","authors":"Yongqiang Hou, Ye Tian, Han Gao","doi":"10.1007/s11051-025-06288-0","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>To enhance the surface properties of pressure vessels, this study utilized ultrasonic electrodeposition to prefabricate pure Ni and Ni–TiN thin films on the vessel surface using a modified Watts nickel bath. The effects of ultrasonic intensity on phase composition, surface morphology, and microstructure were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). Mechanical properties, including Vickers hardness, wear resistance, and friction coefficient, were evaluated. The results indicated that the Ni–TiN thin film fabricated at 30 W/cm<sup>2</sup> displayed a smooth and uniform surface morphology, with TiN nanoparticles uniformly dispersed within the Ni matrix. This structure resulted in higher hardness (920.6 HV) and improved wear resistance (47.67 µm wear depth) compared to other films. SEM, TEM, and SPM analysis revealed that the NT30 film (synthesized at 30W/cm<sup>2</sup>) displayed an even, uniform surface morphology. The <i>Ra</i> and <i>Rms</i> values, measured over a 3.98 µm<sup>2</sup> surface area, were 23.2 nm and 35.6 nm, respectively. The average grain sizes of Ni and TiN were approximately 68.8 nm and 42.6 nm, respectively. Further, the ultrasonic intensity significantly influenced the film's performance, with the optimal intensity (30 W/cm<sup>2</sup>) achieving the best balance between film smoothness, microstructure, and mechanical properties. XRD analysis indicated that films prepared under different plating parameters displayed identical diffraction angles corresponding to the Ni phase, with variations observed only in diffraction intensity. According to microhardness analysis, the Ni and Ni-TiN films (fabricated at 30 W/cm<sup>2</sup>) showed the lowest (381.4 HV) and highest (920.6 HV) microhardness values, respectively, while wear analysis indicated the least weight loss and wear depth (approximately 47.67 µm) for the NT30 film, signifying improved wear resistance. Corrosion testing revealed that the NT30 film showed the lowest corrosion current density (<i>I</i><sub><i>corr</i></sub> = 4.8 × 10⁻⁶ A/cm<sup>2</sup>) and the most positive corrosion potential (<i>E</i><sub><i>corr</i></sub> = -0.18 V), indicating enhanced corrosion resistance compared to the Ni and NT0 films.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":653,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Nanoparticle Research","volume":"27 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11051-025-06288-0.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Nanoparticle Research","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11051-025-06288-0","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
To enhance the surface properties of pressure vessels, this study utilized ultrasonic electrodeposition to prefabricate pure Ni and Ni–TiN thin films on the vessel surface using a modified Watts nickel bath. The effects of ultrasonic intensity on phase composition, surface morphology, and microstructure were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning probe microscopy (SPM). Mechanical properties, including Vickers hardness, wear resistance, and friction coefficient, were evaluated. The results indicated that the Ni–TiN thin film fabricated at 30 W/cm2 displayed a smooth and uniform surface morphology, with TiN nanoparticles uniformly dispersed within the Ni matrix. This structure resulted in higher hardness (920.6 HV) and improved wear resistance (47.67 µm wear depth) compared to other films. SEM, TEM, and SPM analysis revealed that the NT30 film (synthesized at 30W/cm2) displayed an even, uniform surface morphology. The Ra and Rms values, measured over a 3.98 µm2 surface area, were 23.2 nm and 35.6 nm, respectively. The average grain sizes of Ni and TiN were approximately 68.8 nm and 42.6 nm, respectively. Further, the ultrasonic intensity significantly influenced the film's performance, with the optimal intensity (30 W/cm2) achieving the best balance between film smoothness, microstructure, and mechanical properties. XRD analysis indicated that films prepared under different plating parameters displayed identical diffraction angles corresponding to the Ni phase, with variations observed only in diffraction intensity. According to microhardness analysis, the Ni and Ni-TiN films (fabricated at 30 W/cm2) showed the lowest (381.4 HV) and highest (920.6 HV) microhardness values, respectively, while wear analysis indicated the least weight loss and wear depth (approximately 47.67 µm) for the NT30 film, signifying improved wear resistance. Corrosion testing revealed that the NT30 film showed the lowest corrosion current density (Icorr = 4.8 × 10⁻⁶ A/cm2) and the most positive corrosion potential (Ecorr = -0.18 V), indicating enhanced corrosion resistance compared to the Ni and NT0 films.
期刊介绍：
The objective of the Journal of Nanoparticle Research is to disseminate knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological phenomena and processes in structures that have at least one lengthscale ranging from molecular to approximately 100 nm (or submicron in some situations), and exhibit improved and novel properties that are a direct result of their small size.
Nanoparticle research is a key component of nanoscience, nanoengineering and nanotechnology.
The focus of the Journal is on the specific concepts, properties, phenomena, and processes related to particles, tubes, layers, macromolecules, clusters and other finite structures of the nanoscale size range. Synthesis, assembly, transport, reactivity, and stability of such structures are considered. Development of in-situ and ex-situ instrumentation for characterization of nanoparticles and their interfaces should be based on new principles for probing properties and phenomena not well understood at the nanometer scale. Modeling and simulation may include atom-based quantum mechanics; molecular dynamics; single-particle, multi-body and continuum based models; fractals; other methods suitable for modeling particle synthesis, assembling and interaction processes. Realization and application of systems, structures and devices with novel functions obtained via precursor nanoparticles is emphasized. Approaches may include gas-, liquid-, solid-, and vacuum-based processes, size reduction, chemical- and bio-self assembly. Contributions include utilization of nanoparticle systems for enhancing a phenomenon or process and particle assembling into hierarchical structures, as well as formulation and the administration of drugs. Synergistic approaches originating from different disciplines and technologies, and interaction between the research providers and users in this field, are encouraged.
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