Increasing the Adsorption of Reinforcement Alumina Nanoparticles in Ni-alumina Nanocomposite Coatings by Using Methanol Organic Solvent

To enhance the mechanical properties in Ni-alumina nanocomposite coatings, it is necessary to increase the amount of alumina nanoparticles participation in nickel matrix. The aim of this study is the compassion investigation of Ni-Al2O3 nanocomposite coatings’ embedded nanoparticles affected by methanol addition to the electrolyte. In this investigation the composition of electrolyte was modified by adding methanol organic solvent. The coating were produced by pulse current and under ultrasonic agitation .After the electroplating process, the coatings’ cross sectioned and the amount of incorporated alumina nanoparticles and the morphology of each coating was analyzed by Energy X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) coupled with an Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The results showed that with adding the methanol organic solvent to the Watt’s solution the zeta potential of the nanoparticles increased from -4.1mV to +24.5mV and subsequently, the content of alumina reinforcement nanoparticles increased from 4.6vol. % to 11vol. %. It has been assumed that methanol surfactant may act as a surface agent that affected the hydrated layer on the nanoparticles and it promoted the co-deposition of nano alumina particles with nickel.