The Trend of Changes and the Effect of Zeta Potential on the Composite Electrodeposition of Alumina Nanoparticles and Nickel

Creation of the enhanced mechanical properties in Ni-alumina nanocomposite coatings needs to increase the amount of alumina nanoparticles participation in nickel matrix. In this study, the effect of nanoparticles’ zeta values, affected by adding six organic solvents (triethanolamine, glycerol, formaldehyde, ethanol, methanol and carbamide) to electrolyte, on their adsorption was investigated. The results showed that, 10 gL-1 of the organic solvent was essential to conduct nanoparticles’ zeta potential to the range 23-36 mV. Obtained coatings examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). In this study, the maximum incorporated alumina in the coatings was acquired with adding of carbamide to electrolyte. In this case, the amount of nanoparticles was 5.7 wt. %. Whereas, adding of triethanolamine to electrolyte leads to 3.1wt % of alumina content. This result confirms the important effect of optimum zeta potential of 23 mV due to adding of carbamide. In this case, the adsorbed nanoparticles increased up to 46% compared to zeta potential of 36 mV due to adding of triethanolamine.