Investigating the Properties of Electrodeposited of Ni-P-ZrC Nanocomposite Coatings.

Superior corrosion resistance along with higher mechanical performance is becoming a primary requirement to decrease operational costs in the industries. Nickel-based phosphorus coatings have been reported to show better corrosion resistance properties but suffer from a lack of mechanical strength. Zirconium carbide nanoparticles (ZCNPs) are known for promising hardness and unreactive behavior among variously reported reinforcements. The present study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of novel Ni-P-ZrC nanocomposite coatings developed through the electrodeposition technique. Successful coelectrodeposition of ZCNPs without any observable defects was carried out utilizing a modified Watts bath and optimized conditions. For a clear comparison, structural, surface, mechanical, and electrochemical behaviors of Ni-P and Ni-P-ZrC nanocomposite coatings containing 0.75 g/L ZCNPs were thoroughly investigated. The addition of ZCNPs has a considerable impact on the properties of Ni-P coatings. Enhancement in the mechanical properties (microhardness, nanoindentation, wear, and erosion) is observed due to reinforcement of ZCNPs in the Ni-P matrix, which can be attributed to mainly the dispersion hardening effect. Furthermore, corrosion protection efficiency (PE%) of the Ni-P matrix was enhanced by the incorporation of ZCNPs from 71 to 85.4%. The Ni-P-ZrC nanocomposite coatings provide an exciting option for their utilization in the automotive, electronics, aerospace, oil, and gas industry.

Recent Advances in Faradic Electrochemical Deionization: System Architectures versus Electrode Materials.

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an energy-efficient desalination technique. However, the maximum desalination capacity of conventional carbon-based CDI systems is approximately 20 mg g-1, which is too low for practical applications. Therefore, the focus of research on CDI has shifted to the development of faradic electrochemical deionization systems using electrodes based on faradic materials which have a significantly higher ion-storage capacity than carbon-based electrodes. In addition to the common symmetrical CDI system, there has also been extensive research on innovative systems to maximize the performance of faradic electrode materials. Research has focused primarily on faradic reactions and faradic electrode materials. However, the correlation between faradic electrode materials and the various electrochemical deionization system architectures, i.e., hybrid capacitive deionization, rocking-chair capacitive deionization, and dual-ion intercalation electrochemical desalination, remains relatively unexplored. This has inhibited the design of specific faradic electrode materials based on the characteristics of individual faradic electrochemical desalination systems. In this review, we have characterized faradic electrode materials based on both their material category and the electrochemical desalination system in which they were utilized. We expect that the detailed analysis of the properties, advantages, and challenges of the individual systems will establish a fundamental correlation between CDI systems and electrode materials that will facilitate future developments in this field.