Coatings, Volume 10, Issue 9 (September 2020) – 109 articles

Mechanical and tribological properties of the hard-multilayer TiN-AlTiN/nACo-CrN/AlCrN-AlCrO-AlTiCrN coating deposited on WC-Co substrate were investigated. The sliding tests were carried out using ball-on-disc tribometer at room (25 °C) and high temperatures (600 and 800 °C) with Al₂O₃ balls as counterpart. Nano-scratch tests were performed at room temperature with a sphero-conical diamond indenter. The surface morphology and chemical composition were investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and in-situ high-temperature X-ray diffraction (HT-XRD). The phase transition from fcc-(Al,Cr)₂O₃ into α-(Al,Cr)₂O₃ was observed at about 800 °C. The results of the tribological tests depends on the temperature, the lowest apparent and real wear volumes were observed on the coating after the test at 800 °C along with the smallest coefficient of friction (COF). The plastic deformation of the coating was confirmed in sliding and nano-scratch tests. The nano-scratch tests revealed the dependence of COF value on the temperature of the sliding tests. Full article

In this work, we emulate biological synaptic properties such as long-term plasticity (LTP) and short-term plasticity (STP) in an artificial synaptic device with a TiN/TiO₂/WO_x/Pt structure. The graded WO_x layer with oxygen vacancies is confirmed via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The control TiN/WO_x/Pt device shows filamentary switching with abrupt set and gradual reset processes in DC sweep mode. The TiN/WO_x/Pt device is vulnerable to set stuck because of negative set behavior, as verified by both DC sweep and pulse modes. The TiN/WO_x/Pt device has good retention and can mimic long-term memory (LTM), including potentiation and depression, given repeated pulses. On the other hand, TiN/TiO₂/WO_x/Pt devices show non-filamentary type switching that is suitable for fine conductance modulation. Potentiation and depression are demonstrated in the TiN/TiO₂ (2 nm)/WO_x/Pt device with moderate conductance decay by application of identical repeated pulses. Short-term memory (STM) is demonstrated by varying the interval time of pulse inputs for the TiN/TiO₂ (6 nm)/WO_x/Pt device with a quick decay in conductance. Full article

Although coronary stents have improved the early and long-term consequences of arterial lesions, the prevention of restenosis and late stent thrombosis is key to prevent a new obstruction of the vessel. Here we aimed at improving the tissue response to stents through surface modification. For that purpose, we used two different approaches, the use of nanostructuration by electrochemical anodization and the addition of a quercitrin (QR) coating to the Ti surface. Four surfaces (Ti, NN, TiQR and NNQR) were characterized by atomic force microscopy, scanning electronic microscopy and contact angle analysis and QR content was evaluated by fluorescent staining. Cell adhesion, cytotoxicity, metabolic activity and nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated on primary human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVECs). Platelet adhesion, hemolysis rate and Staphylococcus epidermidis CECT 4184 adhesion at 30 min were analyzed. Nanostructuration induced an increase on surface roughness, and QR coating decreased the contact angle. All surfaces were biocompatible, with no hemolysis rate and lower platelet adhesion was found in NN surfaces. Finally, S. epidermidis adhesion was lower on TiQR surfaces compared to Ti. In conclusion, our results suggest that NN structuration could improve biocompatibility of bare metal stents on endothelial cells and reduce platelet adhesion. Moreover, QR coating could reduce bacterial adhesion. Full article

The wettability of the metal/SiC system is not always excellent, resulting in the limitation of the widespread use of SiC ceramic. In this paper, three implantation doses of Si ions (5 × 10¹⁵, 1 × 10¹⁶, 5 × 10¹⁶ ions/cm²) were implanted into the 6H-SiC substrate. The wetting of Cu-(2.5, 5, 7.5, 10) Sn alloys on the pristine and Si-SiC were studied by the sessile drop technique, and the interfacial chemical reaction of Cu-Sn/SiC wetting couples was investigated and discussed. The Si ion can markedly enhance the wetting of Cu-Sn on 6H-SiC substrate, and those of the corresponding contact angles (θ) are raised partly, with the Si ion dose increasing due to the weakening interfacial chemical reactions among four Cu-Sn alloys and 6H-SiC ceramics. Moreover, the θ of Cu-Sn on (Si-)SiC substrate is first decreased and then increased from ~62° to ~39°, and ~70° and ~140°, with the Sn concentration increasing from 2.5%, 5% and 7.5% to 10%, which is linked to the reactivity of Cu-Sn alloys and SiC ceramic and the variation of liquid-vapor surface energy. Particularly, only a continuous graphite layer is formed at the interface of the Cu-10Sn/Si-SiC system, resulting in a higher contact angle (>40°). Full article

This study develops, for the first time, composite coatings based on silver and zinc doped hydroxyapatite in chitosan matrix (AgZnHApCs). The AgZnHApCs composite coatings were prepared by dip coating method. The hydroxyapatite (HAp), biocompatible material for regenerating and strengthening damaged bones were doped with silver and zinc ions and coated with chitosan in order to produce a uniform and homogenous coating with biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties. The stability of AgZnHApCs suspensions was evaluated by ultrasound measurements. The value of stability parameters of AgZnHApCs suspension is in good agreement with the value of bidistilled water used as reference fluid. Homogeneously dispersed solutions of AgZnHApCs were synthesized to endeavor to optimize the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of the coatings obtained at room temperature. The AgZnHApCs composite suspension and coatings were analyzed using various investigation techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenylte-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay and antimicrobial studies. The optical spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), metallographic examination and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on AgZnHApCs composite coatings were also conducted. Cell culture and MTT assays demonstrate that AgZnHApCs composite suspension and coatings have no negative effect on the cell viability and proliferation. The cell morphology was not affected in presence of AgZnHApCs composite suspension and coatings. The antimicrobial assays conducted against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, and Candida albicans ATCC 90029 microbial strains revealed that both the AgZnHApCs composite suspension and coatings exhibited great antimicrobial properties. Full article

Plasma treatment, especially cold plasma generated under low pressure, is currently the subject of many studies. An important area using this technique is the deposition of thin layers (films) on the surfaces of different types of materials, e.g., textiles, polymers, metals. In this study, the goose down was coated with a thin layer, in a two-step plasma modification process, to create an artificial superhydrophobic surface similar to that observed on lotus leaves. This layer also exhibited antifungal properties. Two types of precursors for plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) were applied: hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO) and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDSN). The changes in the contact angle, surface morphology, chemical structure, and composition in terms of the applied precursors and modification conditions were investigated based on goniometry (CA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The microbiological analyses were also performed using various fungal strains. The obtained results showed that the surface of the goose down became superhydrophobic after the plasma process, with contact angles as high as 161° ± 2°, and revealed a very high resistance to fungi. Full article

A route to reducing the wear of the metal counterpart in the friction of meatal against diamond-like carbon (DLC) is to form a lubricating tribofilm on the metal counterface. However, in liquid lubricating conditions, the formation of tribofilm can be influenced by both the lubricating medium and the counterpart material. Here we report the effect of lubricating biomolecule and doping fluorine element on the formation of tribofilm in fluorinated DLC (FDLC)-Ti6Al4V friction system. A group of ball-on-disc frictional experiments with different sliding speeds and normal loads were performed in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution. The results showed the formation of tribofilm was inhibited by the absorption of biomolecules on the frictional surface, thus improving the friction coefficient and wear of Ti6Al4V counterpart. Doping fluorine into DLC film also can restrain the formation of tribofilm on Ti6Al4V counterface. As a result, tribofilm is difficult to form when Ti6Al4V counterface slides against FDLC in BSA solution. Fluorinated DLC film should be considered carefully for the anti-wear use in body fluid containing biomolecules because it might cause severe wear of the counterpart material. Full article

Fouling is one of the common problems in heat-transfer applications, resulting in higher fouling resistance, and lower heat-transfer coefficient. This paper introduces the design and fabrication of an Fe–Al coating with micro/nanostructures on low-carbon steel by electrical discharge coating (EDC) technology to improve the antifouling property. The Fe–Al coating with micro/nanostructures is characterized by a large number of micro/nanostructures and superior anti-fouling property, which is attributed to its hydrophobic surface. The antifouling property, fouling induction period and contact angle of the Fe–Al coating with micro/nanostructures increase with the increasing gap voltage. Compared with the polished surface of low-carbon steel, the Fe–Al coating with micro/nanostructures extends the induction period from 214 to 1350 min, with a heat flux of 98 kW·m⁻². After 50 adhesion tests, the contact angle of the Fe–Al coating with micro/nanostructures decreases from 6.81% to 27.52%, which indicates that the Fe–Al coating with micro/nanostructures is durable and suitable for industrial applications. Full article

BaNd₂Ti₃O₁₀ has been considered as a promising thermal barrier coating (TBC) candidate material, which reveals many advantages over the widely used TBC material of yttria partially stabilized zirconia, such as lower thermal conductivity, better high-temperature capability, and higher resistance to environmental deposits corrosion. In this study, the hot corrosion behavior of BaNd₂Ti₃O₁₀ in Na₂SO₄ + V₂O₅ molten salt at 900 °C and 1000 °C is investigated. Exposed to the salt for 4 h at 900 °C, BaNd₂Ti₃O₁₀ pellets had an obvious reaction with the salt, forming corrosion products of NdVO₄, TiO₂, and BaSO₄, and the reaction layer was ~30 μm, beneath which no salt trace could be found. Prolonging the corrosion time to 20 h, the type of the corrosion products had no change. At an elevated corrosion temperature of 1000 °C for 4 h, the corrosion products were still NdVO₄, TiO₂, and BaSO₄, but NdVO₄ revealed a significant growth, which fully covered the pellet surface. The mechanisms by which the corrosion reaction between BaNd₂Ti₃O₁₀ and the molten salt occurred were discussed. Full article

This work presents a comprehensive research using the Taguchi method and response surface methodology (RSM) to predict surface roughness parameters in wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) manufacturing for a novel Ti–Al intermetallic based composite that was developed at Supmeca, a composite design laboratory for aeronautical applications in Paris, France. At the first stage, a detailed microstructure analysis was carried out on this composite. After that, the cutting parameters of the WEDM process were determined: Start-up voltage U, Pulse-on-time Ton, speed advance S and flushing pressure p were selected to find out their effects on surface roughness Ra. In the second stage, analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used as the statistical method to define the significance of the machining parameters. After that, an integrated method combining the Taguchi method and the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to develop a predictive model of the finish surface. The microstructure of the surface and subsurface of the cut edge, the micro-cracks, debris and craters and surface roughness of the specimens cut at the altered conditions were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and 3D-Surfscan. Full article

In recent years, the field of nanoporous metals has undergone accelerated developments as these materials possess high specific surface areas, well-defined pore sizes, functional sites, and a wide range of functional properties. Nanoporous gold (NPG) is, surely, the most attractive system in the class of nanoporous metals: it combines several desired characteristics as occurrence of surface plasmon resonances, enormous surface area, electrochemical activity, biocompatibility, in addition to feasibility in preparation. All these properties concur in the exploitatiton of NPG as an efficient and versatile sensong platform. In this regard, NPG-based sensors have shown exceptional sensitivity and selectivity to a wide range of analytes ranging from molecules to biomolecules (and until the single molecule detection) and the enormous surface/volume ratio was shown to be crucial in determining these performances. Thanks to these characteristics, NPG-based sensors are finding applications in medical, biological, and safety fields so as in medical diagnostics and monitoring processes. So, a rapidly growing literature is currently investigating the properties of NPG systems toward the detection of a multitude of classes of analytes highlighting strengths and limits. Due to the extension, complexity, and importance of this research field, in the present review we attempt, starting from the discussion of specific cases, to focus our attention on the basic properties of NPG in connection to the main sensing applications, i.e., surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy-based and electrochemical-based sensing. Owing to the nano-sized pore channels and Au ligaments, which are much smaller than the wavelength of visible light (400–700 nm), surface plasmon resonances of NPG can be effectively excited by visible light and presents unique features compared with other nanostructured metals, such as nanoparticles, nanorods, and nanowires. This characteristics leads to optical sensors exploiting NPG through unique surface plasmon resonance properties that can be monitored by UV-Vis, Raman, or fluorescence spectroscopy. On the other hand, the catalytic properties of NPG are exploited electrochemical sensors are on the electrical signal produced by a specific analyte adsorbed of the NPG surface. In this regard, the enourmous NPG surface area is crucial in determining the sensitivity enhancement. Due to the extension, complexity, and importance of the NPG-based sensing field, in the present review we attempt, starting from the discussion of specific cases, to focus our attention on the basic properties of NPG in connection to the main sensing applications, i.e., surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy-based and electrochemical-based sensing. Starting from the discussion of the basic morphological/structural characteristics of NPG as obtained during the fabrication step and post-fabrication processes, the review aims to a comprehensive schematization of the main classes of sensing applications highlighting the basic involved physico-chemical properties and mechanisms. In each discussed specific example, the main involved parameters and processes governing the sensing mechanism are elucidated. In this way, the review aims at establishing a general framework connecting the processes parameters to the characteristics (pore size, etc.) of the NPG. Some examples are discussed concerning surface plasmon enhanced Uv-Vis, Raman, fluorescence spectroscopy in order to realize efficient NPG-based optical sesnors: in this regard, the underlaying connections between NPG structural/morphological properties and the optical response and, hence, the optical-based sensing performances are described and analyzed. Some other examples are discussed concerning the exploitation of the electrochemical characteristics of NPG for ultra-high sensitivity detection of analytes: in this regard, the key parameters determing the NPG activity and selectivity selectivity toward a variety of reactants are discussed, as high surface-to-volume ratio and the low coordination of surface atoms. In addition to the use of standard NPG films and leafs as sensing platforms, also the role of hybrid NPG-based nanocomposites and of nanoporous Au nanostructures is discussed due to the additional increase of the electrocatalytic acticvity and of exposed surface area resulting in the possible further sensitivity increase. Full article

This study investigated the effect of three different ball materials on the metal-based carbon nanotube (CNT) composites used as surface coatings on metal-powder to fabricate high-quality nanocomposites. The effect of ball material, different rotation speeds, and milling times on the coating characteristics of the metal-based nanocomposite were studied. The mechanical dry coating was used to fabricate CNT coatings on the surface of copper powder particles via two different ball milling machines such as a traditional ball mill and a stirred ball mill. We explored the effect of the milling media of the ball mill under different ball materials and ball sizes on the metal powder during the ball milling process with DEM simulation. Using discrete element method simulation to obtain the average velocity, force, and, kinetic energy of the milling media in a low and high energy ball mills. Full article

The exfoliation of graphene has opened a new frontier in material science with a focus on 2D materials. The unique thermal, physical and chemical properties of these materials have made them one of the choicest candidates in novel mechanical and nano-electronic devices. Notably, 2D materials such as graphene, MoS₂, WS₂, h-BN and black phosphorus have shown outstanding lowest frictional coefficients and wear rates, making them attractive materials for high-performance nano-lubricants and lubricating applications. The objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive overview of the most recent developments in the tribological potentials of 2D materials. At first, the essential physical, wear and frictional characteristics of the 2D materials including their production techniques are discussed. Subsequently, the experimental explorations and theoretical simulations of the most common 2D materials are reviewed in regards to their tribological applications such as their use as solid lubricants and surface lubricant nano-additives. The effects of micro/nano textures on friction behavior are also reviewed. Finally, the current challenges in tribological applications of 2D materials and their prospects are discussed. Full article

A breakdown caused by the icing of power generation infrastructure is one of the serious disasters occurring in the power system. Slippery lubricant-infused porous surfaces (SLIPSs), whose ice adhesion strength is extremely low, have a promising application in the anti-icing field. In the present study, we fabricated SLIPSs with low ice adhesion strength by infusing silicone oil into an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) substrate. In addition, the effects of the viscosity of silicone oil on the anti-icing properties and durability of the SLIPSs were investigated. The results show that a lower viscosity silicone oil brings about more slippery surfaces and lower ice adhesion strength. The ice adhesion strength was reduced by 99.3% in comparison with the bare Al alloy. However, low-viscosity silicone oil has worse de-icing resistance and heat resistance. Additionally, the porous films filled with low-viscosity silicone oil possess a better self-healing property after icing/de-icing cycles and followed by exposure to the atmosphere. When the viscosity of silicone oil is 50 mPa·s, the SLIPSs exhibit the best durability for anti-icing. Even after 21 de-icing tests or 168 h of heating at 90 °C, the ice adhesion strength still remains below 10% compared with that of bare Al. This work provides some useful advice for the design and fabrication of anti-icing SLIPSs. Full article

In this study, Ni–P/Ni–P–SiC coatings were prepared on pretreated 45 steel substrates by scanning electrodeposition. Prior to the electrodeposition, the substrates were subjected to two types of pretreatments: polishing and sandblasting. The 3D morphology of the pretreated substrates was characterized by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The micromorphology and section morphology of the coating surface were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The section element composition was characterized using an EDS energy spectrum analyzer. The adhesion and corrosion resistance of 15 coatings were analyzed using an automatic scratch tester and CS350 electrochemical workstation. The results showed the presence of an element penetration region between the coating and the substrate. The sandblasting pretreatment and SiC nanoparticle addition helped widen the penetration region of the elements. The Ni–P–SiC coating prepared by scanning electrodeposition on the sandblasted substrate exhibited the thickest penetration region, up to 28.39 µm. A scratch test conducted on this coating showed that it exhibits the best adhesion force, up to 36.5 N. In electrochemical corrosion experiments, its corrosion potential was found to be the highest, reaching −0.30 V, and the corrosion current density was the lowest, reaching 8.45 × 10⁻⁷ A·cm⁻². The presence of the element penetration region increased the coating adhesion and improved the corrosion resistance. Full article

Segmentation-crack structured yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were deposited by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) using a Triplex Pro™-200 gun. In this work, free-standing coating specimens (~700 μm) were isothermally heat-treated in air from 1200 to 1600 °C for 24 h and at 1550 °C for 20 to 100 h, respectively. The thermal aging behaviors such as microstructures, phase compositions, grain growth and mechanical properties were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and a Vickers hardness test. The results indicated that the as-sprayed coatings mainly consisted of metastable tetragonal (t′-YSZ) phase, but the t′-YSZ gradually partitioned into equilibrium tetragonal (t-YSZ) and cubic (c-YSZ) phases due to yttrium diffusion during thermal exposure, and with an improvement in temperature, the c-YSZ may retain or transform into another yttrium-rich tetragonal (t″-YSZ) phase. The transformation of t-YSZ to monoclinic phase (m-YSZ) has occurred after 1550 °C/40 h heat treatment, and the content of the m-YSZ phase increased with the prolongation of the thermal exposure time. The variations of Vickers hardness have a correlation with pores healing and grain growth, which might be attributed to the coating sintering and m-YSZ phase formation. Furthermore, the growth pattern of the grains was investigated in detail. In service, cracks and pores proceeded along the grain boundaries, especially surrounding the small grains. It is conducive to the engineering application of TBCs fabricated with the Triplex Pro™-200 gun. Full article

Biofilms formed on submerged marine surfaces play a critical role in the fouling process, causing increased fuel consumption, corrosion, and high maintenance costs. Thus, marine biofouling is a major issue and motivates the development of antifouling coatings. In this study, the performance of two commercial marine coatings, a foul-release silicone-based paint (SilRef) and an epoxy resin (EpoRef), was evaluated regarding their abilities to prevent biofilm formation by Cyanobium sp. and Pseudoalteromonas tunicata (common microfoulers). Biofilms were developed under defined hydrodynamic conditions to simulate marine settings, and the number of biofilm cells, wet weight, and thickness were monitored for 7 weeks. The biofilm structure was analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) at the end-point. Results demonstrated that EpoRef surfaces were effective in inhibiting biofilm formation at initial stages (until day 28), while SilRef surfaces showed high efficacy in decreasing biofilm formation during maturation (from day 35 onwards). Wet weight and thickness analysis, as well as CLSM data, indicate that SilRef surfaces were less prone to biofilm formation than EpoRef surfaces. Furthermore, the efficacy of SilRef surfaces may be dependent on the fouling microorganism, while the performance of EpoRef was strongly influenced by a combined effect of surface and microorganism. Full article

With the development of wearable and flexible electronic devices, there is an increasing demand for new types of flexible energy storage power supplies. The flexible supercapacitor has the advantages of fast charging and discharging, high power density, long cycle life, good flexibility, and bendability. Therefore, it exhibits great potential for use in flexible electronics. In flexible supercapacitors, graphene materials are often used as electrode materials due to the advantages of their high specific surface area, high conductivity, good mechanical properties, etc. In this review, the classification of flexible electrodes and some common flexible substrates are firstly summarized. Secondly, we introduced the advantages and disadvantages of five graphene-based materials used in flexible supercapacitors, including graphene quantum dots (GQDs), graphene fibers (GFbs), graphene films (GFs), graphene hydrogels (GHs), and graphene aerogels (GAs). Then, we summarized the latest developments in the application of five graphene-based materials for flexible electrodes. Finally, the defects and outlooks of GQDs, GFbs, GFs, GHs, and GAs used in flexible electrodes are given. Full article

Introduction: There are several methods of reducing a microleakage, and one of them is choosing appropriate adhesive material. The aim of the work was the in vitro analysis of 4 bonds: 3M ESPE “Single bond”, Dentsply “Prime and Bond Active”, Coltene “One Coat 7 Universal”, and Kuraray “Clearfil Universal Bond Quick”. Material and methods: 136 healthy molar teeth were collected and randomly split into 4 groups and Vth Class cavities were prepared. Chosen adhesives were used in four groups of teeth with the same composite. Teeth were the thermocycled, sealed, covered with lacquer, and submerged in 1% methylene blue solution for 24 h. After the thermocycling, the vertices of each tooth were sealed using dental wax. Each tooth was then fully covered with lacquer. All teeth were then submerged into 1% methylene blue solution for 24 h in room temperature. In the next step they were transversely cut through a center of restoration. The Olympus BX43 microscope was used to photograph each cut tooth. With the usage of Olympus stream software, measurement of the dye’s leakage was performed. Results. The statistical analysis proved that the most effective material when applied to ideally prepared cavity surface was Dentsply “Prime and Bond Active”. The second material was 3M ESPE “Single Bond”, third—Coltene “One Coat 7 Universal” and fourth—Kuraray “Clearfil Universal Bond Quick”. The most effective material applied to a too-dry surface was Dentsply “Prime and Bond Active”, second—3M ESPE “Single Bond”, third—Coltene “One Coat 7 Universal” and fourth—Kuraray “Clearfil Universal Bond Quick”. When it comes to too damp surfaces the best results were obtained with Dentsply “Prime and Bond Active” then Coltene “One Coat 7 Universal”, 3M ESPE “Single Bond” and Kuraray “Clearfil Universal Bond Quick”. Conclusion: The level of cavity dampness influences the quality of adhesives. Better results are obtained with over-dried surfaces than over-damp, which is connected with the dilution of the material. Full article

A coating was prepared on an AZ31B Mg alloy substrate via black plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The colorant NH₄VO₃ was added to Na₂SiO₃–(NaPO₃)₆ electrolyte at different temperatures (5, 15, 25, and 35 °C). The influences of electrolyte temperature on the structures, compositions, and color values of black PEO coatings were studied by UV–Visible, XRD, XPS, Raman, and SEM techniques. The results showed that the relative content of V₂O₃ and V₂O₅ was the key factor affecting the coating color value. At higher temperatures, more NH₃ escaped from the electrolyte and the NH₃ quantity participating in the reaction decreased, resulting in a decrease of V₂O₃ content, an increase in color value, and a darker coating. In the PEO process, VO³⁻ mainly reacted to form V₂O₅, and then, the generated V₂O₅ reacted with NH₃ to form V₂O₃. Full article

In this paper, Nb, NbN, and Nb/NbN thin films were successfully deposited on AISI 304 stainless steel (304 SS) as the bipolar plate (BPP) for proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) by employing a radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering system. Corrosion assessments in simulated PEMFC operating conditions (1 M H₂SO₄ + 2 mg/kg HF, 70 °C) revealed that the Nb and NbN coatings significantly improved the corrosion resistance of the 304 SS substrates. The Nb and NbN deposited samples at 350 °C exhibited superior corrosion resistance compared to those coated at 25 °C. Potentiostatic tests were also performed at the constant potentials of +0.644 and −0.056 V vs. Ag/AgCl to simulate the cathodic and anodic PEMFC conditions, respectively. The minimum current densities were recorded for the Nb coating in both anodic and cathodic conditions. Compared with the 304 SS substrate, all coatings showed lower interfacial contact resistance (ICR) and higher hydrophobicity. Among the tested coatings, the Nb coating exhibited the smallest ICR (9 mΩ·cm² at 140 N/cm²). The results of this investigation revealed that the Nb and NbN coatings deposited by RF magnetron sputtering on 304 SS can be regarded as promising candidates for BPPs in PEMFCs. Full article

Several coating configurations on AISI 316 steel were obtained by a hot dipping process followed by isothermal interdiffusion. Six different kind of multilayered specimens were produced and characterized. These coatings, typically employed as bond coat in thermal barrier coating (TBC), can also be effective as vibration reduction elements at intermediate and high temperatures. This preliminary work was focused on the microstructural design and processing effects of the coatings. The damping of the produced specimens was measured up to 450 °C and compared with that of the steel substrate. The most performing coatings contain an Al-Si layer and exhibit a steep damping increase above 200 °C, reasonably due to dislocation movements by plastic straining of soft alloy layer and to the interface sliding between layers with different elastic moduli. Full article

The poor mechanical stability of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic surfaces and coatings severely hinder their commercial and industrial applicability. In addition to being expensive and time-consuming to manufacture, the ability of these coatings to maintain their non-wetting properties after mechanical abrasion and wear is currently not well-understood. In this work, the influence of increasing abrasive loads on the roughness, wettability, and corrosion inhibition properties of a commercial superhydrophobic coating was studied. It was shown that the wetting and corrosion properties of the superhydrophobic coating was affected by the abrasive load. Increasing abrasive loads were applied using a tribometer and the electrochemical response was studied using open circuit potential, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The wetting and roughness behavior of the coating before and after the application of the abrasive load was characterized using contact angle, contact angle hysteresis, and optical profilometry. The protective properties of the superhydrophobic coating was observed to deteriorate as the abrasive load increased. Similarly, after a specific abrasive load, the coating transitioned from the Cassie-Baxter state of wetting into that of the Wenzel state. Full article

High-Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) cermet coatings are widely employed in sliding conditions, due to their optimized microstructure, composed of a carbide phase embedded into a ductile metal matrix. In the present short review, the characteristics and mechanical properties of HVOF cermet coatings are considered, and the dry sliding behaviour of the main types of coatings is analysed at room and high temperature. The role of microstructural parameters, including defects, surface roughness and the nature of the counterface is discussed. The review also considers a specific application, namely HVOF coatings for discs in brake applications. This application is gaining in importance, since it reduces the wear of the braking components and thus the emission of airborne particulate matter. Full article

In printed electronics, laser ablation is used to repair defective patterns on transparent, flexible, and thin films, using high-power lasers. The distance between the film surface and laser focus is sensitive to changes as the narrow focus depth of the lens is the range of tens of microns. However, a film fixed on a conductive vacuum chuck (CVC) is always curved, owing to chucking bending; thus, laser focusing must be locally performed before ablation. Therefore, this study proposes a non-contact measurement method for the surface flatness of a transparent and thin film, to compensate for laser defocusing in a large area. The surface flatness was obtained using camera-focus points on the porous surface of the CVC. The focus points were interpolated to achieve a smooth and continuous surface flatness for chucking bending. A laser distance sensor was used to verify the surface flatness from the proposed method. The surface flatness was used to inspect the printed patterns, and to perform laser ablation on the film. The proposed method is advantageous for large-area laser ablation and is expected to become indispensable for repairing machines in printed electronics. Full article

Modification of vacuum chamber surface properties by introducing a layer of material with low secondary electron yield (SEY) is one of the most useful solutions to suppress the electron-cloud in high-energy particle accelerators. In the present work, amorphous carbon thin films have been produced by DC magnetron sputtering with Neon and Argon sputtering gases. Microstructures of the thin films have been characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The sp² and sp³ hybridized carbon atoms are evaluated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Raman spectroscopy. The amorphous carbon coatings comprise tiny granularities of tens of nanometers. The amorphous carbon films show more graphite-like properties as revealed by XPS and Raman spectroscopy. The secondary electron emission measurement results indicate that amorphous carbon coatings present SEY of <1.2. The thin film deposited by Ne exhibits a higher sp² hybridization content, leading to a slightly lower SEY compared with the film produced with Ar. Full article

Due to the excellent properties of graphene, including flexibility that allows it to adjust to the curvature of the substrate surface, chemical inertness, and impermeability, graphene is used as an anticorrosion layer. In this review, we present the current state-of-the-art in the application of graphene in the field of protective coatings. This review provides detailed discussions about the protective properties of graphene coatings deposited by different methods, graphene-based organic coatings, the modification of graphene-based coatings, and the effects of graphene functionalization on the corrosion resistance of protective coatings. Full article

The use of dental implants has been increasing in the last years; however, their chemical composition is an important issue due to the fact that the implant surface may suffer a corrosion process, allowing the possibility of ions being released and resulting in a possible biological response. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological analysis of the surface and chemical composition of different implant types through an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) system. Eight dental implant models from different manufacturers were analyzed using variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VP-SEM) and EDX. The chemical composition and general characteristics of the structural morphology in different dental implant surfaces were analyzed randomly. Nitrogen was identified in two samples, while zirconium was observed in only one model. Aluminium was identified in five samples ranging between 4% and 11% of its composition. Regarding the morphological characteristics, two samples from the same manufacturer had the most irregular surface designed to increase the contact surface, while the others revealed their surfaces with roughness at the micrometric level with no major irregularities. In conclusion, despite the morphology of implants being similar in most of the analyzed samples, more than 50% of them, which are brands of implants available on the market, showed aluminium on the implant surface. Finally, STR (Bone level, Roxolid), DENT (Superline) and NEO (Helix GM) could be considered, among the analyzed samples, the safest implants from the point of view that no aluminium was detected in their chemical composition. Full article

Dimensional stability proves to be an important factor affecting the quality of wooden products. As a sort of crude and thermoplastic resin, shellac excreted by lac insects demonstrates water-repellent and environmental-friendly features. The research impregnated shellac with wood at room temperature and with a vacuum-pressure procedure. Efforts were made to examine how shellac treatment affected the dimensional stability, moisture absorption, chemical structure, thermostability, as well as morphological characteristics of wood. Results indicated that shellac treatment was a type of efficient solution useful in the enhancement of the dimensional stability of wood. Shellac solution had good permeability in the wood, and the weight percentage gain reached 13.01% after impregnation. The swelling coefficients of treated wood in the tangential and radial directions decreased by 20.13% and 24.12%, respectively, indicating that impregnation could improve wood dimensional stability. The moisture absorption of shellac-treated wood was reduced by 38.15% under 20 °C and 65% relative humidity. Moreover, shellac treatment significantly modified wood structure, although there were no drastic changes in the spectra. Specimens for shellac treatment ran across two decomposition peaks at 350 and 390 °C, and specimens in the control group saw one more common derivative thermogravimetric curve when the sharp peak approached 355 °C. After impregnation of shellac into wood, the shellac blocked pits and hardened on the intrinsic layer of the wood for fear of hygroscopicity. The practice was applicable to a variety of wood products, such as buildings, furniture, and landscape architecture. Full article

Substitutions of ions into an apatitic lattice may result in antibacterial properties. In this study, magnesium (Mg)-, zinc (Zn)-, and silicon (Si)-substituted hydroxyapatite (HA) were synthesized using a microwave irradiation technique. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was added during the synthesis of the substituted HA as a binding agent. The synthesized Mg-, Zn-, and Si-substituted HAs were then coated onto a 316L-grade stainless-steel substrate using low-cost electrophoretic deposition (EPD), thereby avoiding exposure to high temperatures. The deposited layer thickness was measured and the structural, phase and morphological analysis were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The bacterial adhesion of Staphylococcus aureus was characterized at 30 min, 2 h and 6 h. The results showed homogeneous, uniform thickness (50–70 µm) of the substrate. FTIR and XRD showed the characteristic spectral peaks of HA, where the presence of Mg, Zn and Si changed the spectral peak intensities. The Mg–HA coating showed the least bacterial adhesion at 30 min and 2 h. In contrast, the Si–HA coating showed the least adhesion at 6 h. EPD showed an effective way to get a uniform coating on bio-grade metal implants, where ionic-substituted HA appeared as alternative coating material compared to conventional HA and showed the least bacterial adhesion. Full article