Kinetics of electrodeposition of Ni–ZrO₂ nanocomposite coatings from methanesulfonate electrolytes

Regularities of incorporation of zirconia nanoparticles into a nickel matrix in the course of electrodeposition of Ni–ZrO₂ coatings from methanesulfonate electrolyte are established. The content of the dispersed phase in coatings grows at an increase in its concentration in electrolyte. Moreover, nanocomposites containing a greater amount of zirconia are deposited from the methanesulfonate electrolyte as compared to sulfate electrolyte. This is explained by the greater partial concentration of ZrO₂ in the solution due to enhanced aggregative stability of the dispersed phase in methanesulfonate electrolyte. The mechanism of formation of the composite coating is considered that is based on the concept of particle incorporation into the metal matrix due to the different rates of metal electrodeposition on the electrode surface free of nonmetallic particles and on the electrode surface conditionally occupied by them. A physically substantiated mathematical model is suggested that describes the kinetics of formation of the composite coating that agrees well with the experimental data.