Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applications

Abstract This study investigated the development and corrosion performance evaluation of Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings, synthesized through electroless deposition on A36 carbon steel with varying concentrations of Y2O3 nanoparticles (Y2O3NPs) (0.25 g/L, 0.50 g/L, and 0.75 g/L) within the Ni-P mat...

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Main Authors: Muhammad Ahmad, Ahmad Saadi Samra, Sehrish Habib, Ramazan Kahraman, Bilal Mansoor, R. A. Shakoor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12319-6
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author Muhammad Ahmad
Ahmad Saadi Samra
Sehrish Habib
Ramazan Kahraman
Bilal Mansoor
R. A. Shakoor
author_facet Muhammad Ahmad
Ahmad Saadi Samra
Sehrish Habib
Ramazan Kahraman
Bilal Mansoor
R. A. Shakoor
author_sort Muhammad Ahmad
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigated the development and corrosion performance evaluation of Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings, synthesized through electroless deposition on A36 carbon steel with varying concentrations of Y2O3 nanoparticles (Y2O3NPs) (0.25 g/L, 0.50 g/L, and 0.75 g/L) within the Ni-P matrix. The incorporation of Y2O3 nanoparticles, along with the innovative use of patent commercialized products solutions Nichem 3010 A and Nichem 3010B where Nichem A and B are commercial electroless plating solutions, which introduces a novel approach to enhancing the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the coatings. Structural analyses confirm the formation of phase-pure coatings, with uniform dispersion of Y2O3NPs throughout the Ni-P matrix. Surface topographic analysis reveals an increase in surface roughness in Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings as Y2O3NP concentration increases to 0.75 g/L, attributed to the presence of insoluble and hard Y2O3NPs. Mechanical properties, as evaluated by Vickers microhardness and nanoindentation tests, demonstrated a marked improvement in hardness, with Y2O3NP (0.75 g/L) incorporation proved to have the highest microhardness (764.7Hv) and elastic modulus (6.52GPa), suggesting a synergistic enhancement due to grain refinement and dispersion effects. Electrochemical assessments, including Tafel analysis and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), reveal that incorporating 0.75 g/L of Y2O3NPs into the Ni-P structure significantly reduces the corrosion current density (icorr) while increasing polarization resistance (Rp) in comparison to other concentrations (0.25 g/L and 0.50 g/L). This result indicates superior corrosion resistance, with the Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings exhibiting an impressive corrosion resistance improvement of 82.76%. This enhanced resistance is attributed to the mechanism whereby Y2O3NPs occupy micropores, thereby reducing active corrosion sites within the Ni-P matrix. The findings strongly suggest that Ni-P-Y2O3 composite coatings offer a robust solution for corrosion mitigation, presenting them as promising candidates for application in aggressive and corrosive environments.
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spelling doaj-art-d13a58bb47b449f983ddbeb6ec2b9fba2025-08-20T03:46:08ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-12319-6Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applicationsMuhammad Ahmad0Ahmad Saadi Samra1Sehrish Habib2Ramazan Kahraman3Bilal Mansoor4R. A. Shakoor5Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar UniversityCenter for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar UniversityCenter for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar UniversityDepartment of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar UniversityDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, Texas A &MCenter for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar UniversityAbstract This study investigated the development and corrosion performance evaluation of Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings, synthesized through electroless deposition on A36 carbon steel with varying concentrations of Y2O3 nanoparticles (Y2O3NPs) (0.25 g/L, 0.50 g/L, and 0.75 g/L) within the Ni-P matrix. The incorporation of Y2O3 nanoparticles, along with the innovative use of patent commercialized products solutions Nichem 3010 A and Nichem 3010B where Nichem A and B are commercial electroless plating solutions, which introduces a novel approach to enhancing the corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of the coatings. Structural analyses confirm the formation of phase-pure coatings, with uniform dispersion of Y2O3NPs throughout the Ni-P matrix. Surface topographic analysis reveals an increase in surface roughness in Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings as Y2O3NP concentration increases to 0.75 g/L, attributed to the presence of insoluble and hard Y2O3NPs. Mechanical properties, as evaluated by Vickers microhardness and nanoindentation tests, demonstrated a marked improvement in hardness, with Y2O3NP (0.75 g/L) incorporation proved to have the highest microhardness (764.7Hv) and elastic modulus (6.52GPa), suggesting a synergistic enhancement due to grain refinement and dispersion effects. Electrochemical assessments, including Tafel analysis and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), reveal that incorporating 0.75 g/L of Y2O3NPs into the Ni-P structure significantly reduces the corrosion current density (icorr) while increasing polarization resistance (Rp) in comparison to other concentrations (0.25 g/L and 0.50 g/L). This result indicates superior corrosion resistance, with the Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings exhibiting an impressive corrosion resistance improvement of 82.76%. This enhanced resistance is attributed to the mechanism whereby Y2O3NPs occupy micropores, thereby reducing active corrosion sites within the Ni-P matrix. The findings strongly suggest that Ni-P-Y2O3 composite coatings offer a robust solution for corrosion mitigation, presenting them as promising candidates for application in aggressive and corrosive environments.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12319-6Ni-PY2O3 nanoparticlesElectrolessHardnessElectrochemical impedance spectroscopyCorrosion resistance
spellingShingle Muhammad Ahmad
Ahmad Saadi Samra
Sehrish Habib
Ramazan Kahraman
Bilal Mansoor
R. A. Shakoor
Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applications
Scientific Reports
Ni-P
Y2O3 nanoparticles
Electroless
Hardness
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Corrosion resistance
title Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applications
title_full Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applications
title_fullStr Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applications
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applications
title_short Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited Ni-P-Y2O3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applications
title_sort mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of electroless deposited ni p y2o3 nanocomposite coatings for industrial applications
topic Ni-P
Y2O3 nanoparticles
Electroless
Hardness
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Corrosion resistance
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-12319-6
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