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Zirconium nitride (ZrN) coatings were deposited on the stainless steel using multi-arc ion plating under varying nitrogen partial pressures (P N) ranging from 0.5 to 3.5 Pa. The effect of phase composition, microstructure, and surface morphology on the corrosion resistance and conductivity of the ZrN-coated stainless steel in a simulated proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathode environment was systematically explored. XRD and TEM revealed that the columnar-structured ZrN coating mainly comprised the fcc-ZrN phase. The Zr 3 N 4 phase was discovered near the substrate during coatings prepared at low nitrogen partial pressures. Surface defects were reduced at nitrogen partial pressures exceeding 2.5 Pa. The ZrN coating exhibited enhanced corrosion resistance and conductivity (ZrN-3.5, E corr = 0.307 V, I corr = 2.085 × 10−7 A/cm2, R ct = 1.125 × 105 Ω·cm2) compared to bare stainless steel in the simulated PEMFC cathode environment. The presence of surface defects influenced the corrosion resistance, while differences in conductivity were related to the phase composition and microstructure of the coating. Thus, the findings indicate that ZrN coatings prepared under optimal deposition conditions can have potential applications in PEMFC bipolar plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-Arc Ion Plating (MAIP) technology was used to deposit yttrium oxide (Y 2 O 3) ceramic thin films on Al 2 O 3 ceramics and silicon wafers. The effects of varying the O-to-Ar gas flow ratio (Rc: 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0) and the annealing conditions on the phase composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, and tribological performance of the Y 2 O 3 films were assessed. The films deposited at Rc values of 1.0 and 1.5 consisted of a single cubic phase structure. In contrast, films deposited at Rc values of 0.5 and 2.0 contained a small monoclinic phase and the cubic phase structure. The film deposited at an Rc value of 1.0 (oxygen flow rate of 200 sccm) exhibited a dense microstructure, the best mechanical properties (hardness of 14.2 ± 0.191 GPa), and the lowest friction coefficient (0.142 ± 0.003). Furthermore, the colour of the film changed from grey-black to white after annealing at 800 °C for 6 h. The oxygen vacancy of the thin film increased, with improving crystallinity, decreasing hardness and elastic modulus, and increasing grain size, friction coefficient and wear rate. The film exhibited the best tribological properties at 25 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to successfully prepare a new advanced TiAlSiN gradient coating with Ti content gradually decreased but Al content gradually increased from the cemented carbide substrate to the outermost coating surface by arc ion plating, we deeply investigated the influence mechanisms of two important process parameters. These parameters include substrate bias voltage and arc current, which affect the mechanical properties and microstructure of the gradient coating. The results show that bias voltage and arc current directly affect the particle accumulation effect on the coating surface and the re-sputtering effect caused by high-energy ion bombardment, thus affecting the deposition efficiency of the coating and the formation of defects such as macro-particles and pits on the coating surface. The increase of bias voltage is conducive to the increase of the density of columnar crystals and nanocrystals. While the increase of arc current makes the coating with high Al content transform from columnar crystals to nanocrystals. The hardness and interfacial adhesion of the gradient coatings showed a tendency of firstly increasing and then decreasing with the increase of both bias voltage and arc current. When the bias voltage and arc current are -80 V and 160 A respectively, the coating has the best mechanical properties, its surface hardness reaches 36.94 GPa, and the interfacial adhesion exceeds 120 N. In addition, with the increase of bias voltage and arc current, particles are deposited on the surface of the coating with higher energy, which leads to the preferential orientation transition from (111) to (200) plane. The high hardness of TiAlSiN coating is mainly due to the formation of high Al content of fcc-TiAlN crystals and amorphous Si 3 N 4 in the gradient-coated surface layer. The results have important theoretical and practical significance for developing new high-performance gradient coating tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of film thickness and substrate bias on the microstructure and stress state of tungsten (W) films prepared by arc ion plating (AIP) on substrates including 304 stainless steel (SS), tungsten (W), and Si (100). The microstructure of the films was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Residual stress was analyzed using substrate curvature techniques combined with Stoney's formula and Huseh's formula. The results indicate that the W films are single-phase, predominantly comprising the pure α-phase. The film surfaces are dense and smooth, with the absence of large particles. The films consist of closely packed columnar grains, and no microcracks, voids, or delamination were observed at the film-substrate interface, indicating strong adhesion. As the film thickness increased, the curvature of the W/SS system and the compressive stress in the film both increased, which closely matched the fitted curves. As the substrate bias increased, the curvature of the W/SS system decreased, and the compressive stress in the W film increased. At higher substrate biases, deposition temperatures are higher, and growth stress remains nearly constant across a range of continuous bias variations, with the increase in residual stress primarily due to thermal stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium metal batteries with high theoretical energy density and low redox potential possess vast application prospects. However, the inevitable side reactions between Na metal anode and electrolyte, the formation of Na dendrite during cycling, and the uneven electric field distribution at the interface will lead to a decrease in the cycling stability of the battery. Herein, N and S co‐doped carbon dots are employed as electrolyte additives in view of their quantum size, excellent dispersion, and polar surface functional groups. It is found that the quantum‐sized carbon core and sodiophilic surface functional groups of N,S‐CDs enable the homogenous deposition of Na+ and the involvement of N,S‐CDs in the formation of solid electrolyte film. The N,S‐CDs co‐deposition guarantees the uniform sodium plating in the initial cycle, avoiding the routine dendrite growth. The strength and stability of SEI are boosted with the assistance of inorganics such as Na3N and Na2S, which accelerate the transport of Na+ flux and realize rapid charge transfer at the interface, ensuring high reversibility of sodium ion plating/stripping. Na||Cu half‐cells achieve a coulombic efficiency of 99% after 250 cycles under 1.0 mA cm−1, and Na||Na symmetric cells continuously cycle over 1200 h at a current density of 1 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Element additions in ceramic coatings played a positive role in electrochemical corrosion process, and Cr and C were doped into TiAlN coating by cathode arc ion plating. The effects of Cr and C additions on the structures and electrochemical properties of TiAlN coatings in 3.5 % NaCl solution were comparatively investigated, and the corrosion mechanisms were discussed with the density functional theory calculation. The results show that the particle size of TiAlCrN/and TiAlCN/TiAlN/TiN coatings are 31.6 and 25.7 nm, respectively, and the corresponding bonding strength is 16.18 and 37.93 N, respectively. The corrosion resistance of TiAlCrN/TiAlN/TiN coating is higher compared with the TiAlCN/TiAlN/TiN coating, which is attributed to the stronger oxidation reactions of TiAlCrN/TiAlN/TiN coating. The donor density of passive film on the TiAlCrN/TiAlN/TiN coating is lower than that on the TiAlCN/TiAlN/TiN coating, showing the minor susceptibility of TiAlCrN/TiAlN/TiN coating to corrosion. Moreover, the band gap and DOS of Cr 2 N and Cr 2 O 3 on the TiAlCrN/TiAlN/TiN coating are larger than those of Al 3 C 4 on the TiAlCN/TiAlN/TiN coating, presenting the stronger corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiAlSiN gradient coatings were applied onto a cemented carbide steel substrate using cathodic arc ion plating technology. High-temperature oxidation experiments were conducted on the coatings in a box-type Maffei furnace to investigate the impact of thermal exposure temperature and duration on the surface morphology and wear characteristics of the TiAlSiN gradient coatings. The study revealed that the surface flatness of the coating remained stable after exposure to temperatures between 600 and 800°C for 1 h, with no oxides detected in the physical phase analysis. However, at 900°C, the surface flatness deteriorated, and TiO, TiO2, and Al2O3 oxides were identified. Subsequent tests at 800°C for 0.5, 1, and 2 h showed that the coating maintained good surface flatness, dominated by AlN and TiN phases, with no oxide formation. Specifically, at 800°C for 1 h, the coating exhibited reduced surface roughness and wear volume compared to 900°C for the same duration, by 0.03% and 39% respectively. After 2 h at 800°C, the wear volume was 2.13 times that of 1 h at the same temperature. Overall, the TiAlSiN gradient coatings demonstrated excellent wear resistance and thermal stability at high temperatures of 600°C and 700°C, as well as at 800°C for 0.5 and 1 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic coatings have the potential to contribute to the purification of water via an advanced oxidation process (AOP). A commonly used method for analyzing the mechanism of the photocatalytic performance of a given reactor type is to document the degradation behavior in a solution containing methylene blue. However, since methylene blue is rather unstable, the degradation results should be viewed critically. In this work, the degradation behavior of a test solution with methylene blue on quartz glass surfaces coated with photocatalytic titanium dioxide (TiO2) of the anatase modification was investigated through a variety of different light sources. The coating was deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) with the reactive pulsed DC magnetron sputtering ion plating (MSIP) method described in the study by Desch and Lake, while the quartz glasses were coated with a 100 nm thick TiO2 coating on the outside. The same glasses were used for all experiments with TiO2. In the determination of the degradation rate, additional experiments were performed using pure quartz glass without any coating, which made it possible to examine the influence of different light sources on the degradation rate of methylene blue in general. Three different light sources, namely UV‐A, UV‐C, and simple fluorescent lamps were used in this study. The concentration of methylene blue was recorded by photo spectrometer in 10‐min increments throughout the experiment and the experiments were performed for 24 h in all cases. Our data indicates that the methylene blue test is a poor method because the degradation rate is not clearly differentiable due to the low stability of the test substance. Without including reference testing in the absence of a catalyst, data may be subject to misinterpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercial utilization of Zn metal anodes with high plating capacity is significantly hindered by the uncontrolled growth of dendrites and associated side reactions. Herein, a robust artificial ion‐sieving MXene flake (MXF)‐coating layer, with abundant polar terminated groups, is constructed to regulate the interfacial Zn2+ deposition behavior. In particular, the fragmented MXF coupled with in situ generated quantum dots not only has strong Zn affinity to homogenize electric fields but also generates numerous zincophilic sites to reduce nucleation energy, thus securing a uniform dendrite‐free surface. Additionally, the porous coating layer with polar groups allows the downward diffusion of Zn2+ to achieve bottom‐up deposition and repels the excessive free water and anions to prevent parasitic reactions. The ion‐sieving effect of MXF is firmly verified in symmetric cells with high areal capacity of 10–40 mAh cm−2 (1.0 mA cm−2) and depth of discharge of 15%–60%. Therefore, the functional MXF‐coated anode manifests long‐term cycling with 2700 h of stable plating/stripping in Zn||Zn cell. Such rational design of MXF protective layer breaks new ground in developing high plating capacity zinc anodes for practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Purpose Methods Results Conclusion Reference dosimetry in ultra‐high dose rate (UHDR) beamlines is significantly hindered by limitations in conventional ionization chamber design. In particular, conventional chambers suffer from severe charge collection efficiency (CCE) degradation in high dose per pulse (DPP) beams.The aim of this study was to optimize the design and performance of parallel plate ion chambers for use in UHDR dosimetry applications, and evaluate their potential as reference class chambers for calibration purposes. Three chamber designs were produced to determine the influence of the ion chamber response on electrode separation, field strength, and collection volume on the ion chamber response under UHDR and ultra‐high dose per pulse (UHDPP) conditions.Three chambers were designed and produced: the A11‐VAR (0.2–1.0 mm electrode gap, 20 mm diameter collector), the A11‐TPP (0.3 mm electrode gap, 20 mm diameter collector), and the A30 (0.3 mm electrode gap, 5.4 mm diameter collector). The chambers underwent full characterization using an UHDR 9 MeV electron beam with individually varied beam parameters of pulse repetition frequency (PRF, 10–120 Hz), pulse width (PW, 0.5–4 µs), and pulse amplitude (0.01–9 Gy/pulse). The response of the ion chambers was evaluated as a function of the DPP, PRF, PW, dose rate, electric field strength, and electrode gap.The chamber response was found to be dependent on DPP and PW, and these dependencies were mitigated with larger electric field strengths and smaller electrode spacing. At a constant electric field strength, we measured a larger CCE as a function of DPP for ion chambers with a smaller electrode gap in the A11‐VAR. For ion chambers with identical electrode gap (A11‐TPP and A30), higher electric field strengths were found to yield better CCE at higher DPP. A PW dependence was observed at low electric field strengths (500 V/mm) for DPP values ranging from 1 to 5 Gy at PWs ranging from 0.5 to 4 µs, but at electric field strengths of 1000 V/mm and higher, these effects become negligible.This study confirmed that the CCE of ion chambers depends strongly on the electrode spacing and the electric field strength, and also on the DPP and the PW of the UHDR beam. A significant finding of this study is that although chamber performance does depend on PW, the effect on the CCE becomes negligible with reduced electrode spacing and increased electric field. A CCE of ≥95% was achieved for DPPs of up to 5 Gy with no observable dependence on PW using the A30 chamber, while still achieving an acceptable performance in conventional dose rate beams, opening up the possibility for this type of chamber to be used as a reference class chamber for calibration purposes of electron FLASH beamlines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasonable design of low‐cost, high‐efficiency and stable bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is of great significance to improve the reaction efficiency of Zn‐air batteries, which is still a huge challenge. Here, we report a highly efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst with three‐dimensional (3D) N‐doped graphene network‐supported cobalt and cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co/CoO‐NG), which can be in situ synthesized by inducing metal ions on metal plates via graphene oxide as an inducer. This 3D network structure and open active center show excellent bifunctional oxygen electrocatalytic activity under alkaline conditions, and can be used as an air electrode in rechargeable Zn‐air batteries, with significantly better power density (244.28 mW cm−2) and stability (over 340 h) than commercial Pt/C+RuO2 mixtures. This work is conducive to advancing the practical application of graphene‐based materials as air electrodes for rechargeable zinc‐air batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Alberta rotating biplanar linac‐MR has a 0.5 T magnetic field parallel to the beamline. When developing a new linac‐MR system, interactions of charged particles with the magnetic field necessitate careful consideration of skin dose and tissue interface effects. Purpose: To investigate the effect of the magnetic field on skin dose using measurements and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Methods: We develop an MC model of our linac‐MR, which we validate by comparison with ion chamber measurements in a water tank. Additionally, MC simulation results are compared with radiochromic film surface dose measurements on solid water. Variations in surface dose as a function of field size are measured using a parallel plate ion chamber in solid water. Using an anthropomorphic computational phantom with a 2 mm‐thick skin layer, we investigate dose distributions resulting from three beam arrangements. Magnetic field on and off scenarios are considered for all measurements and simulations. Results: For a 20 × 20 cm2 field size, D0.2cc${D_{0.2cc}}$ (the minimum dose to the hottest contiguous 0.2 cc volume) for the top 2 mm of a simple water phantom is 72% when the magnetic field is on, compared to 34% with magnetic field off (values are normalized to the central axis dose maximum). Parallel plate ion chamber measurements demonstrate that the relative increase in surface dose due to the magnetic field decreases with increasing field size. For the anthropomorphic phantom, D∼0.2cc${D_{ \sim 0.2cc}}$ (minimum skin dose in the hottest 1 × 1 × 1 cm3 cube) shows relative increases of 20%–28% when the magnetic field is on compared to when it is off. With magnetic field off, skin D∼0.2cc${D_{ \sim 0.2cc}}$ is 71%, 56%, and 21% for medial‐lateral tangents, anterior‐posterior beams, and a five‐field arrangement, respectively. For magnetic field on, the corresponding skin D∼0.2cc${D_{ \sim 0.2cc}}$ values are 91%, 67%, and 25%. Conclusions: Using a validated MC model of our linac‐MR, surface doses are calculated in various scenarios. MC‐calculated skin dose varies depending on field sizes, obliquity, and the number of beams. In general, the parallel linac‐MR arrangement results in skin dose enhancement due to charged particles spiraling along magnetic field lines, which impedes lateral motion away from the central axis. Nonetheless, considering the results presented herein, treatment plans can be designed to minimize skin dose by, for example, avoiding oblique beams and using a larger number of fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a NiCr/YSZ coating was applied to a γ-TiAl surface using multi-arc ion plating technology to enhance its high-temperature performance and explore the mechanisms of high-temperature oxidation and thermal corrosion. The thermal corrosion properties of the γ-TiAl matrix and NiCr/YSZ coating were investigated at 850 °C and 950 °C using a constant-temperature corrosion test in a 75% Na2SO4 + 25% NaCl mixture. The results indicate that after 100 h, the thermal corrosion weight gain of the coating samples was 70.1 mg/cm2 at 850 °C and 118.2 mg/cm2 at 950 °C. At these temperatures, sulfide formation on the surface increases, leading to a loose and porous surface. After 100 h of high-temperature corrosion at 850 °C, the primary oxidation product on the surface of the coating was tetragonal-ZrO2. At 950 °C, Y2O3, which mainly acts as a stabilizer in YSZ, reacted with Na2SO4, resulting in the continuous consumption of Y2O3. This reaction caused a substantial amount of tetragonal-ZrO2 to transform into monoclinic-ZrO2, altering the volume of the ceramic layer, which induced internal stress, crack propagation, and minor spallation. A continuous and dense internal thermally grown oxide (TGO) layer effectively impeded the diffusion of molten salt substances and oxygen, thereby significantly improving the thermal corrosion resistance of the thermal barrier coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiN/TiAlSiN nanocomposite multilayer coatings were deposited on a titanium alloy by multi-arc ion plating. The investigation of the wear behavior of TiN/TiAlSiN multilayer coatings against Si3N4 was conducted at temperatures of 25 °C, 300 °C, and 500 °C using a ball-on-disk tribometer. Additionally, to gain a deeper understanding of medium-temperature oxidation products, an oxidation test was performed at 500 °C for 10 h. The microstructure and chemical composition of the coatings were evaluated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The primary peak in the XRD pattern of the multilayer coating changed from TiN (111) to Ti3AlN (111) after the oxidation test. The hardness of the TiN/TiAlSiN multilayer coating was 1540 HV0.1, representing a notable five times improvement compared to the substrate. The critical load in the scratch test was 52.3 N, indicating robust adhesion performance. The wear rate exhibited a sharp increase from 25 °C to 300 °C, compared to the rise from 300 °C to 500 °C. Furthermore, the friction coefficient of the coated sample was more stable than the substrate, with different scratch track morphologies between the samples before and after the oxidation test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure design and optimization of multilayer coatings, which are utilized to surmount the trade-off between hardness and toughness, has been a current hot topic in the field of hard ceramic coatings. Herein, multi-layered TiSiN/AlCrN coatings with a constant and gradient sublayer thickness (Λ, modulation periods) ranging from 20 to 3.8 nm were prepared by the cathodic arc ion plating. The microstructure, mechanical properties, residual stress, and fracture toughness of four gradient structures were investigated systematically. All coatings exhibit a typical FCC crystal structure. In the coating with a monotonous decrease of modulation period (single gradient periodic decreasing structure, G2), the interface between the TiSiN layer and the AlCrN layer transformed from a partially semi-coherent interface at the bottom layers of Λ = 20 nm, to a fully coherent interface at the top layers of Λ = 3.8 nm. The coating with dual-gradient structures (modulation period increases first and then decreases, V2) demonstrated the highest hardness (37.6 ± 1.0 GPa), H/E* and H3/E*2 ratios (0.087 and 0.28 GPa), and bonding strength (75.3 N), as well as lowest friction coefficient (0.34) and wear rate (6.7 × 10−6 mm3/N m). The remarkable resistance to damage and toughness displayed by the V2 structure could be ascribed to its intrinsic capacity for effectively alleviating stress concentration and accommodating incompatibilities during the plastic deformation process. This work offers insights into employing gradient architecture design to enhance the strength and toughness of coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the internal chemical physics of measured CMOS-compatible electrochemical random-access memory (ECRAM) devices, we constructed a 2D semiconductor device simulation, including ions and electrochemical reactions, and used it to fit measured devices. We present the results of a device simulation model that includes Cu+ ions' diffusion and the charge transfer reaction between the WOx conduction band electron and Cu+ (i.e., "Cu plating"). Reproducing the linear response of ECRAM devices, the effect of charging HfOx by the Cu+ ions is sufficient, and WOx is not being doped by the Cu+ ions. While potentiation is supported by the formation of an electron channel, an efficient depression requires the formation of high positive charge density at the channel material. At higher Cu+ flux, Cu+ reaches and penetrates the WOx layer. While this effect enhances the potentiation response, it also initiates the "plating" reactions. Including this reaction is essential to reproducing the data of devices exhibiting sub-linear responses. We suggest that electron trapping by ions (i.e., plating) would constitute a long-term degradation process even for H+ based devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum alloy bipolar plates have the merits of lightweight, favorable cold processing performance and low price, which have an extensive application prospect in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). To enhance the corrosion resistance and conductivity of aluminum alloy bipolar plates, a multilayer Ni–P/Cr/CrMoAlN coating was prepared on aluminum alloy 5052 (AA5052) using electroless plating and closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating (CFUMSIP) techniques. The research findings indicate that the outermost layer of the multilayer Ni–P/Cr/CrMoAlN coating is mainly composed of CrN, Mo2N, and AlN phases. Electrochemical and interfacial contact resistance (ICR) tests reveal that the Ni–P/Cr/CrMoAlN coating has the lowest current density (7.37 × 10−7 A cm−2) in potentiostatic polarization test and the smallest ICR (2.36 mΩ cm2). Therefore, the Ni–P/Cr/CrMoAlN coating can remarkably improve the performance of aluminum alloy bipolar plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zr–O–N coatings with varying oxygen contents were fabricated through arc ion plating, and their microstructure, mechanical properties and tribological behaviour in a seawater environment were evaluated. Zr–O–N composite coatings were fabricated by introducing oxygen elements during the deposition of ZrN coatings. The oxygen content of the coatings increased to 46.88 at% as the oxygen flow rate increased from 0 to 180 sccm. The coatings consisted of ZrN and ZrO2 phases. Grain size decreased from the micron to the nanometer scale when the oxygen flow rate exceeded 120 sccm. In scratch tests, the coatings prepared with a flow rate of 60 sccm exhibited the remarkable presence of debris and cracks, whereas only microcracks were observed in the coatings deposited under flow rates exceeding 120 sccm. Additionally, all coatings showed no signs of peeling even when subjected to a load of 100 N. The highest hardness value of 26.11 GPa was achieved by the composite coatings deposited under a flow rate of 60 sccm. However, hardness consistently decreased as the oxygen flow rate increased, reaching 17.68 GPa in the coatings deposited under a flow rate of 180 sccm. The tribological behaviour and failure mechanism of the coatings in a seawater environment were also analysed. The composite coatings deposited at 120 sccm exhibited the lowest friction coefficient of 0.19, whereas the those deposited at 180 sccm demonstrated the minimal wear rate of 5.65 × 10−8 mm3/(N m). When the coating with high oxygen content was rubbed in the seawater environment, the coating components underwent a tribochemical reaction with water to generate Zr–OH and O–OH, which exerted lubricating effects during friction and greatly reduced the friction coefficient and wear rate. The introduction of the appropriate amount of oxygen improved the tribological performance of the Zr–O–N coatings in marine environments effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ZrN coatings were prepared using multi-arc ion plating (MAIP) under different N 2 partial pressures ranging from 10 % to 80 %. A comprehensive analysis of the microstructure, electrochemical behavior, and tribocorrosion properties of these coatings showed a gradual deposition rate decrease with rising N 2 partial pressure. Analysis using GIXRD revealed higher N 2 pressure led to a shift in crystal orientation from (111) to (200), initially increasing corrosion resistance but later declining. At 70 % N 2 pressure, the ZrN coating exhibited the lowest values of capacitance C po (8.89 μF cm−2) and double-layer capacitance C dl (1.14 × 10−7 F cm−2), with the highest values for the two-time constants τ recorded as 0.274 s and 5.749 s. The tribocorrosion behavior correlated closely with the corrosion performance, with the ZrN-70 % coating demonstrating superior tribocorrosion resistance and a minimal wear rate of 4.25 × 10−5 mm3/Nm. While the ZrN-80 % coating exhibited the lowest wear rate of 2.67 × 10−5 mm3/Nm, but was more susceptible to friction and corrosion synergy, causing localized failure. The outcomes reveal crystal texture significantly affected on the electrochemical and tribocorrosion characteristics of the coatings, primarily attributed to the robust passivation tendency and stability of the passivation film associated with the (200) crystal orientation. The dominant wear mechanism identified involves the interplay of adhesive, abrasive, and corrosion-erosion wear processes. Based on these results, ZrN coatings prepared using MAIP are expected to emerge as candidate materials for critical friction components in marine equipment or other corrosion-erosion environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current-carrying friction materials with excellent electrical conductivity and anti-wear ability are in constant demand in both academia and industry. In this work, the sliver-titanium nitride (Ag–TiN) composite ceramic coating was fabricated by an arc ion plating method. The microstructure, chemical composition, crystal structure, mechanical properties and current-carrying tribological behaviors of the Ag–TiN composite coating were systematically studied and the worn surfaces were also thoroughly investigated to analyze the possible tribological mechanisms in detail. The results showed that the Ag–TiN composite ceramic coating achieved uniformly distributed co-deposition of Ag and TiN compositions and exhibited excellent mechanical properties and electrical conductivity. The current-carrying tribological tests also revealed that the Ag–TiN composite coating exhibited exceptional friction reducing, anti-wear and conductive properties during the friction process. The analysis of the worn surface showed that the excellent current-carrying tribological behaviors of the Ag–TiN composite ceramic coating were related to the excellent electrical conductivity, the appropriate mechanical properties and the tribo-layer film formed on the worn surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, TiAlSiN/NiCr multilayer coatings with different modulation periods were deposited by cathodic-arc techniques, which combined filtered cathode vacuum arc (FCVA) and cathodic-arc ion plating (CAIP) techniques to deposit sublayers at different bias voltages. The nanoscale multilayer coating (TiAlSiN: 88 nm; NiCr: 9 nm) exhibited excellent oxidation resistance and thermal stability. Annealed coatings at 900 °C in air for 1 h, the thickness of the oxide layer of N32 coating is only 0.91 μm and the increase in coating thickness was only 9.01%, while the thickness of oxide layer of monolayer TiAlSiN coating is 3.02 μm and thickness increasing of 122.28%. Due to the existence of numerous interfaces, the N32 coating exhibited the lowest wear rate of 1.92 × 10−7 mm3N−1m−1 at 600 °C under abrasive wear and adhesive wear mechanisms. In parallel, a new AlNi intermetallic compound with excellent thermal stability was characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) at the coating interfaces. This compound is derived from different cathodic-arc techniques and bias voltages used to deposit coatings, which provides a reference for the structural design of coatings facing thermal environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the corrosion resistance and conductivity of 316L stainless steel bipolar plates used for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, three Cr-containing nitride coatings were deposited on 316L stainless steel by multiarc ion plating. First, the microstructure, composition, and contact angle of the three coatings were systematically investigated. Then, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarization, potentiostatic polarization (PSP), and interfacial contact resistance (ICR) of the three coatings were also fully examined. The results revealed that CrN coating has the highest contact angle of 98.26°, indicating its superior hydrophobicity. Additionally, CrN coating performed the best corrosion resistance with the highest corrosion potential of 0.31 V, the lowest corrosion current density of 2.28 × 10−7 A cm−2, and the largest resistance. Furthermore, CrN coating showed the lowest current density during PSP tests and the smallest ICR value after corrosion. The superior corrosion resistance of CrN coating is mainly attributed to its decreased pore density caused by vacancylike defects and its uniform structure. This article provided evidence for the potential application of CrN coating to bipolar plates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Constructing artificial solid electrolyte interfaces (SEIs) to shape dendrite-free lithium (Li)-metal anodes remains challenges. Herein, we designed dynamic physical network (DPN) with abundant lithiophilic/anionphilic groups through tripartite hydrogen bonds (H-bonds), serving as artificial SEIs in high-loading NCM811-Li metal batteries. The formation and dissociation of DPN endowed by tripartite H-bonds under tension release during Li plating/stripping cycling skillfully balance the contradiction between mechanical robustness and deformability. Li O bonds between lithiophilic sites and Li ions, and extra H-bonds between hydroxyl and electrolyte anions, endow DPN with functions of homogenizing Li-ion flux and accelerating its desolvation, synergistically achieving the uniform Li-ion deposition and weakening the charge shielding. The artificial SEI enhanced Li-anode (DPN@Li) withstood repeated Li ions plating/stripping processes for over 1000 h, which is 5 times longer than pure Li-anodes, and maintained low overpotential at a high current density of 10 mA cm−2. DPN@Li-based NCM811 full cells deliver high specific capacities and outstanding cycle life over 3000 cycles. Further, DPN@Li possesses excellent electrochemical performance in the high active material loading (7.84 mg cm−2) and foldable pouch cells. This work provides a conceptual framework of DPN constructed by multiple weak intermolecular interaction for artificial SEI to shape anode performance, and achieves the idea with a facile manner and simple chemical substances to promote practical applications of LMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate the antibacterial effect of silver atoms implanted into a thin surface layer of titanium at low energies using an alternative ion plating technology called Diversified Ion Plating. Silver atoms were incorporated into titanium samples using reactive low-voltage ion plating at 2 keV and 4 keV. Surface modifications and morphology were evaluated using wettability, profilometry measurements, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. For a precise determination of the quantity and depth of implanted silver atoms on titanium surfaces, a combination of experimental techniques such as Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry along with Monte Carlo simulations were utilized. To assess the antibacterial effects of the silver atoms incorporated into pure titanium surfaces, bacterial suspension immersion tests were performed with a standard strain of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600). The outcomes indicate that titanium surfaces implanted with silver atoms were more effective in inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus than pure titanium surfaces. Better results were found when the deposition was performed at 4 keV, indicating that a deeper implantation of silver, spanning a few nanometers, can result in a longer and more effective release of silver atoms. These findings suggest the potential for the development of new, cost-effective biomaterials, paving the way for improved implant materials in various health-related applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature fasteners are metal parts of gas turbines and steam turbines, which work at high temperatures and under stress for a long time. However, the frequent seizures of fasteners bring great trouble to the normal maintenance of power plants. In this paper, three kinds of dense and controllable CrAlN-based gradient multilayer coatings were prepared on the samples and screws by arc ion plating (AIP) technology. The morphology, composition, structure, nano hardness, adhesion, residual stress, and room temperature tribological performance of the coating were investigated. To evaluate the high-temperature, anti-seizing performance, coated screws were heated to 700 °C for 140 h with a torque of 20 N·m. The results indicate that the CrN/CrAlN multilayer coating shows better comprehensive properties. The characterization of coated screws proved that the coating structures obtained on the screws were similar to the flat samples. However, the as-prepared coating on the screws showed different thickness variation rules, which was related to the clamping method, deposition distance, and screw shape. After a simulation service, the thread of the screw remained intact with similar structure and thinner thickness. The above results indicate that the high-temperature seize prevention of fasteners can be successfully achieved by preparing a CrAlN-based multilayer coating, which is suitable for fasteners with service temperatures below 700 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

304 stainless steel demonstrates a low thermal conductivity and work hardening characteristics, resulting in its processing, and will adhere to the tip of the tool; as well as the phenomenon of chipping, shortening the life of the tool. AlTiN coatings are representative of coatings applied to carbide tools. In this paper, AlTiN coatings with different arc current processes were deposited on carbide milling inserts using arc ion plating. The microstructure, mechanical properties, and milling properties of the coatings were investigated by using the SEM, EDS, XRD, scratch meter, friction and wear meter, and vertical machining center. The findings revealed that all coatings displayed columnar crystal growth, free from cracks and voids. With an increasing arc current, there was a notable increase in surface droplets, pits, and coating thickness. The coating deposited at a 140 A arc current showed a pronounced (200) orientation preference. The adhesion force peaked at 56.0 N with a subsequent decline, and the friction coefficient hit its lowest point of 0.429 at 140 A, contrasting with its highest value of 0.55 at 160 A. After 39 min of dry milling, the tool with a 140 A AlTiN coating exhibited minimal wear of 0.196 mm, just below the 0.2 mm failure threshold, indicating superior performance at this arc current setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium (Cr) coating is a potential candidate material for improving the oxidation resistance and extending rail service life of zirconium (Zr) alloys used in nuclear fuel cladding materials. This study investigates the effect of temperature on the effectiveness of Cr coating on Zr-4 alloy deposited using arc ion plating, revealing the microstructure evolution mechanism of Cr coating in high temperature steam environments. The research results indicate that the oxidation of the Cr coating is slow at 900-1000 °C and that the surface oxide layer, to some extent, hinders the diffusion of oxygen from the outside to the inside. However, at higher temperatures, the oxidation rate of the Cr coating is accelerated, and large bubbles and voids are formed at the interface between the Cr 2 O 3 layer and the residual Cr layer, resulting in the fracture of the oxide layer. At this time, the protective performance of the Cr coating is completely lost. Note that the simultaneous inward diffusion of oxygen and outward diffusion of Zr trigger the occurrence of redox reactions, generating a ZrO 2 network. Changes in steam temperature significantly affect the oxidation behavior of Cr coating. As a driving force, temperature accelerates the diffusion of oxygen to the substrate. Conversely, the formed zirconia network also promotes the failure of the Cr coating. [Display omitted] • The effect of temperature on microstructure of Cr coating in high-temperature steam environment was investigated. • Different sizes of ZrO 2 products were found above the Cr oxide layer. • Cr coated Zr-4 alloy exhibits parabolic oxidation kinetics and significant weight increase. • ZrO 2 network structure accelerates the degradation and failure of Cr coating. • The invasion of hydrogen promotes the initiation and development of cracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the effects on tribological properties of titanium nitride (TiN) coating by hydrogen embrittlement were investigated. TiN was deposited to about 2.5 μm on aluminium alloy by arc ion plating (AIP). Hydrogen embrittlement was conducted for 3 and 6 h to investigate the dependence of wear properties of the TiN coating on hydrogen embrittlement time. As the hydrogen embrittlement time increased, the surface hardness and the adhesive force with the substrate decreased due to the peeling of the coating. In a ball on disk wear experiment, the hydrogen embrittlement specimens showed an increase in coefficient of friction due to the debris generated by the peeling of the TiN coating. In the 3 h hydrogen embrittlement specimen, the wear track was locally damaged. However, the 6 h hydrogen embrittlement specimen showed that the aluminium base material was exposed while the wear track was damaged as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, four ZrNxOy coatings were deposited on the surface of Ti–45Nb alloy by multi-arc ion plating technology at different N/O ratios. The effects of oxygen content on the mechanical properties, wear resistance, electrochemical corrosion and tribocorrosion properties of the coatings were investigated separately. As the increasing of O2 ratio, the hardness value decreases from 30.2 to 9.7 GPa; the Young's modulus values decrease from 322.1 to 172.2 GPa. The H/E and H3/E2 values showed a decreasing trend with the increasing O2, which indicates a gradual decrease in the load-bearing capacity of the coatings. The critical load of these coatings in scratch test ranges from 12 N, 7.2 N, 5 N to 3N. In the friction test, both the TiNb alloy and coating exhibited predominantly abrasive and adhesive wear. The relatively low wear rate of the ZrN coating demonstrated its excellent wear resistance; however, the wear-resisting property of the ZrNxOy coating gradually decreases as the oxygen content increases, and ZrO2 coating showed the poorest wear resistance. On the contrary, the higher the oxygen content, the better the electrochemical corrosion resistance, and ZrO2 coating showed the excellent corrosion resistance. The results of tribocorrosion test show that the ZrNxOy coating has better wear resistance in simulated body fluid solution compared to Ti–Nb alloys. The experimental results and design concepts of the paper can provide a better understanding of the preparation of medical titanium alloy surface functional coatings with good comprehensive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CrAlN and CrAlBN coatings were prepared on the surface of high-speed steel and shaper cutter by physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique using arc ion source. In the process of coating preparation, the adhesive layers were deposited by low bias voltage (−40 V) and the working layers are deposited by high bias voltage (−130 V). The effects of the addition of B element on the microstructure, hardness, elastic modulus and wear resistance of CrAlBN coating were studied. The results show that B element and its compounds exist in amorphous form in the coating, resulting in lattice distortion of the coating, increase of coating hardness to 37.1 GPa, and decrease of elastic modulus to 406.2 GPa. The addition of B element increases the uniformity of the columnar structure distribution and decreases the width of the columnar structure and grain size. The resistance to elastic deformation and plastic deformation of CrAlBN coating is improved, the wear resistance is improved. The performance of CrAlN and CrAlBN coatings on shaper cutter was studied. It was found that the main failure mode of shaper cutters is boundary wear and the wear mechanism of coatings had changed obviously. CrAlBN coating is mainly due to fatigue induced failure, accompanied by some diffusion wear. The addition of B element makes the CrAlBN coating have excellent resistance to oxidative wear, abrasive wear and diffusion wear during cutting. The results show that the addition of B element can improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of CrAlN coating, and the preparation of CrAlBN coating on the surface of the shaper cutter can significantly improve the service life of the coated shaper cutter, which has significance for the development of the shaper cutter industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cr coatings with a thickness of about 19 μm were synthesized on Zr-4 cladding using plasma-enhanced arc ion plating. A Zr-Cr micro-diffusion layer was formed via Cr ion cleaning before deposition to enhance the interface bonding strength. Cr coatings exhibit an obvious columnar crystal structure with an average grain size of 1.26 μm using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and EBSD (electron backscatter diffraction) with a small amount of nanoscale pores on the surface. A long-term aqueous test at 420 ± 3 °C, 10.3 ± 0.7 MPa and isothermal oxidation tests at 900~1300 °C in air were conducted to evaluate the Cr-coated Zr-4 cladding. All the results showed that the Cr coatings had a significant protective effect to the Zr-4 alloy. However, the corrosion deterioration mechanism is different. A gradual thinning of the Cr coating was observed in a long-term aqueous test, but a cyclic corrosion mechanism of void initiation–propagation–cracking at the oxide film interface is the main corrosion characteristic of the Cr coating in isothermal oxidation. Different corrosion models are constructed to explain the corrosion mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal bipolar plates are prone to corrosion in the acid environment of fuel cells. It is necessary to deposit protective films with excellent corrosion resistance on the surface of metal bipolar plates. In this study, LaB 6 -doped carbon films with strong corrosion resistance were deposited on 316L stainless steel by magnetron sputtering ion plating using graphite composite targets with different contents of LaB 6. The effects of bias voltage and content adjusting on the corrosion resistance of obtained films were investigated. The results show that doping LaB 6 is benefit to adjust the structure and improve the corrosion resistance of a-C matrix. The carbon film with moderate LaB 6 doping possesses compact structure with no columnar defects and exhibits excellent corrosion resistance, providing good protection for 316L stainless steel bipolar plates. • LaB 6 can emit abundant energetic particles, which give higher energy to the plasma during magnetron sputtering process and thus suppress the growth of columnar structure in a-C matrix. • Doping LaB 6 is benefit to promote the graphitization of carbon films and increase the content of sp2-C in a-C matrix. • The most compact structure with no columnar defects is observed for the La-5-100 film, which inhibit the corrosion solution invading into substrates and provide good protection. • The corrosion current density of La-5 films is less than 1 µA·cm-2, and the lowest value can reach 0.33 µA·cm-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CrWN/MoN nano-multilayer coatings were deposited in pure N2 by multi-arc ion plating using CrW and Mo targets, with the cathode co-controlled by a permanent magnet combined with an electromagnet. The effects of the thickness modulation period on the microstructure and mechanical and tribological performance were systematically analyzed by grazing-incident X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Nanoindentation, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and profilometry using a Talysurf profilometer. The local coherent interfaces and nanoscale modulation period were confirmed by TEM, while the coatings were confirmed to be composed of fcc-CrWN and hexagonal δ-MoN by GIXRD. With the increase in the modulation period, the hardness of the CrWN/MoN nano-multilayer coatings decreased, and the values of the H/E ratio and friction coefficient showed the same variation trend. At an 8.0 nm modulation period, the CrWN/MoN nano-multilayer coating showed the maximum hardness (30.2 GPa), the lowest H/E value (0.082) and an H3/E*2 value of 0.16. With the decrease in the modulation period, the average friction coefficient of the CrWN/MoN nano-multilayer coatings gradually decreased from 0.45 to 0.29, while the wear rate decreased from 4.2 × 10−7 mm3/Nm to 3.3 × 10−7 mm3/Nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We recently reported the electroplating of Fe-Pt thick films using plating baths with varying concentrations of NaCl, suggesting the potential for coercivity enhancement by Na ions. In the present study, our focus shifted to not Na ions but Cl ones, and we investigated the effect of the Cl ions on the crystal structures and magnetic properties of electroplated Fe-Pt films. With the increasing concentration of Cl ions, the coercivity of the films decreased. Furthermore, XRD analysis suggested that the Cl ions in the plating baths prevent the L10 ordering of the Fe-Pt crystalline phase, leading us to conclude that a Cl-free bath is favorable for preparing Fe-Pt thick-film magnets with high coercivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of pulsed dc‐sputtering sources for reactive magnetron sputtering with oxygen offers a possibility to suppress the negative effects of target poisoning (such as arcing). This results in a wide process range for the selection of a desired operating point. The control of target poisoning plays a major role in maintaining constant coating properties and affects the stoichiometry of the reactive coating, as well as the coating rate and the economic impact of the coating process. In a hysteresis, the target poisoning during the reactive sputtering of titanium under oxygen addition proceeds nonlinearly. Without the use of a suitable target poisoning control technique, the sputtering process can abruptly change to an unstable state. As a result, variations of stoichiometry can occur during the deposition process. A proven method for maintaining a stable reactive sputtering process is the control of oxygen flow with the input variable target voltage. By determining the typical oxygen hysteresis at constant target power and constant argon flow, an operating point for the control loop is derived. The desired target voltage then serves as the input variable for the control loop of the target poisoning. The controlling technique for target poisoning is a basic requirement for the production of the photolytic active anatase phase of titanium dioxide (TiO2) using reactive magnetron sputtering. The photocatalytic equipment of surfaces with a titanium dioxide coating in the anatase phase can be realized with the reactive pulsed dc magnetron sputter ion plating process (DC‐MSIP). The pulsed DC‐MSIP process facilitates coating a variety of surfaces at temperatures below 200°C in an environmentally friendly manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TC4 titanium alloy was treated by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology, and then CrN coating was prepared on the surface of MAO coating by multi-arc ion plating (MAIP) technology to form MAO/CrN composite film, so as to improve the tribological properties of TC4. The microstructure and phase composition of the film were detected and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The surface roughness, bonding strength and tribological properties of the film were evaluated by using a roughness tester, an automatic scratch tester for coating adhesion, a multi-functional friction and wear tester and a three-dimensional ultra-depth-of-field microscope system. The results show that the tribological properties of TC4 are improved after micro-arc oxidation treatment. The friction coefficient of TC4 is about 0.6, the friction coefficient of TC4/MAO is about 0.5, and the friction coefficient of TC4/MAO/CrN is about 0.2. The surface roughness of TC4/MAO/CrN is only 1.4 μm. The composite layer exhibits excellent tribological properties. The wear mechanism of TC4, TC4/MAO coating and TC4/MAO/CrN coating is abrasive wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to good physical compatibility with high-temperature metallic structural materials, Cr2O3- or Al2O3-forming MCrAlY coatings have been extensively used to protect hot section components in aerospace and other fields from high-temperature corrosion. Currently, MCrAlY coatings are normally manufactured by means of physical methods, including electron beam-physical vapor deposition, magnetron sputtering, ion plating, thermal spray, etc. This review paper introduces novel nanocomposite-type MCrAl(Y) coatings prepared by electrochemical methods of nanocomposite electrodeposition and further modified "electrophoretic deposition + electrodeposition." The novel MCrAl(Y) coatings exhibit apparently enhanced ability in protective chromia or alumina scale formation, which can be attributed to the two-fold "nanoscale effect" of the dispersed particles and metal matrix grains. Based on a large amount of oxidation data of the nanocomposite-type NiCrAl coatings under different oxidation conditions, oxide maps showing the relationship between coatings' composition and type of the oxides are constructed to offer guidance for designing the novel coatings. Moreover, the "electrophoretic deposition + electrodeposition" method has been further applied to conveniently integrate a metallic-ceramic diffusion barrier into a MCrAl(Y) coating/Ni-based superalloy system which can significantly block the interdiffusion between the coating and the matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly stabled antireflection layers play a crucial role in enhancing the optical and thermal performance of cermet-based solar selective absorbing coatings. Few state-of-the-art antireflection layers are qualified for high-temperature (>873 K) utilizations due to the insufficient thermal stability and increased infrared emissivity. Herein, a highly stable multilayer cermet-based absorber with an AlCrO antireflection layer is developed using cathode arc ion plating. The deposited coating exhibits a solar absorptivity of 0.908 ± 0.005 and a thermal emissivity of 0.144 ± 0.004 even after annealing at 923 K for 2000 h in air, compared to the pristine coating with a spectral selectivity of 0.898 ± 0.002/0.186 ± 0.003. After undergoing the extensive annealing treatments, abundant particles with an average size of approximately 8 μm have been detected on the coating surface. However, the AlCrO layer exhibits a remarkably flawless and dense surface topography devoid of any cracks or voids. Based on the GI-XRD and TEM evaluations, the particles have been identified as Mn 2 O 3 nanocrystals. The formation of Mn 2 O 3 particles originates from the diffusion of Mn atoms from the stainless-steel substrate to the surface of the AlCrO layer, where they undergo oxidation. The presence of Mn 2 O 3 can enhance the solar absorptivity by increasing transmittance in the visible light spectrum and reduce the emittance by enhancing reflection of infrared radiation. Then, the impact of Mn 2 O 3 on spectra selectivity and thermal stability is discussed. These results indicate that the AlCrO layer exhibits remarkable durability when subjected to high-temperature annealing in an air environment, thereby significantly enhancing the thermal stability and optical performance of cermet-based solar selective absorbing coatings. These findings suggest that the AlCrO layer exhibits exceptional durability under high-temperature annealing in an air environment, thereby significantly enhancing the thermal stability and optical performance of cermet-based solar selective absorbing coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compatibility of cladding material with lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) above 600 °C poses a critical challenge in the implementation of lead-bismuth fast-cooled stacks. Consequently, we fabricated three coatings of Al + Al2O3, FeAl, and FeAl + Al2O3 using ferritic/martensitic steel as the substrate through multi-arc ion plating. We evaluated the microstructure and hardness of the substrate and coatings, in addition to exploring the samples' corrosion resistance through static LBE corrosion at 600 °C for 1000 hours. Our findings indicate that all three coatings exhibited exceptional corrosion resistance under high-temperature lead-bismuth, and the thickness of the oxide layer formed by corrosion was reduced by 60 pct in comparison to that of the uncoated sample. The oxide layer was composed of Fe3O4, Al2O3, and FeCr2O4. During the corrosion process, lead-bismuth infiltrated the oxide layer through the pores, leading to oxidation of the inner fresh coating, while the outer oxide layer underwent crack expansion with pores at the core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed arc ion plating technology to deposit CrAlN/CrN coatings on stainless steel substrates, adjusting deposition pressures ranging from 1.0 Pa to 4.0 Pa. A detailed analysis of the coatings' microstructure, wear, and corrosion features was performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nanoindentation, tribometers, profilometers, and electrochemical workstations. The study revealed that the crystalline structure of the CrAlN/CrN coatings primarily consists of cubic crystals of AlN, (Cr, Al)N, and CrN. Diffraction peak intensity analysis revealed preferential orientation in the CrAlN coatings along the (111) and (200) crystal planes. As the pressure increased to 3.0 Pa, the content of Al elements peaked, and the columnar structure became denser; at this point, the H/E* ratio reached a maximum of 0.079, indicating excellent delamination and fracture resistance of the CrAlN/CrN coating at this pressure. Tests in artificial seawater environments showed that with the increase in nitrogen pressure, the friction coefficient gradually decreased, reaching its lowest at 3 Pa, approximately 0.19. The wear rate trend aligned with the friction coefficient, recorded at a mere 2.20 × 10−7 mm3/Nm. Electrochemical polarization curve tests revealed that at 3 Pa pressure, the CrAlN/CrN coating had a corrosion potential of −0.04 V, a polarization resistance of 9.28 × 105 Ω·cm2, and a very low corrosion current of 4.81 × 10−8 A/cm2, demonstrating excellent corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, VCN film, VCN-Al composite film and VCN/Al multilayer film were prepared by multi-arc ion plating. The microstructure and tribological properties of these films were studied and analyzed in detail. The results show that the VCN, VCN-Al and VCN/Al films are all mainly composed of VCN phase, and Al phase appears in VCN-Al and VCN/Al films as expected. The sp2 C-C and sp3 C-C can be detected in these films, but they play a limited role in the improvement of the tribological property. Owing to the relatively low nano-hardness of metal Al, and a relatively high friction coefficient of formed Al-Oxides (Al2O3), the Al-containing VCN films have poor wear resistance compared to the VCN film. The multilayer structure of VCN/Al film with the lowest nano-hardness improves the wear resistance to some extent, leading to the wear rate being slightly lower than that of VCN-Al film. However, the wear mechanism of VCN, VCN-Al and VCN/Al films can all be considered adhesive wear and oxidative wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NiCrCN coatings are deposited on the surfaces of 316 L stainless steel (SS316L) substrates via closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating (CFUMSIP) to improve the corrosion resistance and electrical conductivity of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) bipolar plates. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show that CrN, Cr 2 N, Ni, and Cr 7 C 3 phases exist in NiCrCN coatings. As the Cr target current grows from 2 A to 6 A, the Cr 7 C 3 content in the carbon compounds increases from 3.39% to 11.46%, and the interfacial contact resistance (ICR) value is reduced from 18.0 mΩ cm2 to 11.2 mΩ cm2. When the Cr target current reaches 4 A, the NiCrCN coating shows the most intensive cross-sectional growth pattern by cold-field scanning electron microscopy (CFSEM) results, and the current density after prolonged polarization (0.11 μA cm−2) is much lower than that of SS316L (1.86 μA cm−2). • A novel NiCrCN coating is designed to modify SS316L for PEMFC bipolar plates. • Corrosion current density reaches 0.11 μA cm−2 after 4 h polarization. • NiCrCN coatings greatly improve the hydrophobicity of SS316L. • The value of ICR decreases with the increase of Cr 7 C 3 content in the coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating was deposited on the surface of 316L stainless steel using the arc ion plating (AIP) method to improve the life and efficiency of the metallic bipolar plate for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The electrochemical characteristics and damage behaviour were investigated in an accelerating solution simulating the PEMFCs operation environment. A result of the experiment showed the corrosion current density of all specimens with DLC coatings was lower than that of the base metal. However, when the thickness of the DLC coating was 0.3 and 0.5 μm, the corrosion resistance was lower than that of the base metal. This is thought to be because defects on the coating surface result in crevice corrosion of the gap between the coating layer and the intermediate layer or between the coating layer and the base metal, further accelerating corrosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CrN, CrTiN, and CrTiBN coatings were deposited onto 316 stainless steel substrates using multi-arc ion plating techniques. Their morphology, microstructures, friction performance, and corrosion resistance in simulated seawater were systematically characterized. After being analyzed with X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, the results revealed that CrN coatings had a primary face-centered cubic CrN structure. Following the addition of Ti and B elements, CrTiBN coatings exhibited a cross-sectional structure with hexagonal TiB2 and amorphous BN, displaying the most compact structure. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests indicated that CrTiBN coatings had the highest polarization resistance, the highest phase angle, and the widest frequency range. During electrochemical polarization curve tests, CrTiBN coatings displayed a corrosion potential of 0.11 V, a polarization resistance of 2470 kΩ·cm2, and a minimal corrosion current of 1.94 × 10−8 A/cm2, demonstrating outstanding corrosion resistance. The results from the friction tests indicated that CrTiBN coatings exhibited the lowest friction coefficients of 0.16 and wear rates of 8.18 × 10−7 mm3/Nm. Insights gained from electrochemical friction–corrosion tests revealed that CrTiBN coatings maintained the highest Open Circuit Potential (OCP) throughout the corrosion and friction process. In summary, the introduction of Ti and B has clearly enhanced the friction and corrosion resistance properties of CrTiBN coatings in comparison to CrN coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) composed of amorphous carbon (a-C) film surface modified metal bipolar plates (BPP) have been widely used as a new generation power source for hydrogen energy applications. However, one of the main challenges limiting the industrial deployment of a-C coated BPP remains the low deposition rate. In this study, arc ion plating with a deposition rate exceeding 100 nm/min was used to rapidly deposit a-C films with excellent performance on the surface of titanium foil (TA1). The experimental results show that the ICR of a-C coated TA1 decreases to 1.125 mΩ cm2 at a pressure of 1.4 MPa and the corrosion current density is about 3.37 × 10−9 A cm−2. In addition, industrially useable BPPs with large-sized coated a-C films has been successfully deposited. This work provides valuable reference for the industrial preparation of low-cost a-C film coating metal BPP for PEMFCs. [Display omitted] • A deposition rate of over 100 nm min−1 by arc ion plating for a-C films was reached. • Low values of corrosion current density and contact resistance (i.e. 3.37 × 10−9 A cm−2 and 1.125 mΩ cm2, respectively) were achieved. • Arc ion plating method have attractive to be applied in a-C coated metal bipolar plate's preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous technological advancements in the 21st century depend on the creation of novel materials possessing enhanced properties; there is a growing reliance on materials that can be optimized to serve multiple functions. To efficiently save time and meet the requirements of diverse applications, high-throughput and combinatorial approaches are increasingly employed to explore and design superior materials. Among them, gradient thin-film deposition is one of the most mature and widely used technologies for high-throughput preparation of material libraries. This review summarizes recent progress in gradient thin-film deposition fabricated by magnetron sputtering, multi-arc ion plating, e-beam evaporation, additive manufacturing, and chemical bath deposition, providing readers with a fundamental understanding of this research field. First, high-throughput synthesis methods for gradient thin films are emphasized. Subsequently, we present the characteristics of combinatorial films, including microstructure, oxidation, corrosion tests, and mechanical properties. Next, the screening methods employed for evaluating these properties are discussed. Furthermore, we delve into the limitations of high-throughput preparation and characterization techniques for combinatorial films. Finally, we provide a summary and offer our perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WC-8Co cemented carbide was prepared by a high-temperature liquid phase sintering in argon at 5-200 Pa. Three microtextured grooves with a spacing of 500, 750, and 1000 μm were prepared on the surface of WC-8Co cemented carbide. TiAlCrSiN multielement hard coating was deposited on the WC-8Co cemented carbide microtextured surface with multi-arc ion plating technology. The Vickers hardness and fracture toughness of coated and uncoated WC-8Co cemented carbide with or without a microtextured surface were investigated. The effect of different microtextured spacing on the interface bonding strength of the TiAlCrSiN coating was analyzed. The results show that with the reduction of the microtextured spacing, the Vickers hardness of the cemented carbide slightly decreases, and the fracture toughness slightly increases. The microtextured surface can improve the interface bonding strength between the coating and the substrate. The smaller the microtextured spacing, the larger the specific surface area and the higher the surface energy, so the interface bonding strength between the coating and the substrate increases [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium metal, possessing a high theoretical capacity, holds great promise as a desirable anode candidate for the next‐generation high energy density lithium batteries. However, the practical implementation of lithium metal faces significant challenges, including dendrite growth and volume expansion. Herein, a carbon nanofiber (CNF) three‐dimensional (3D) current collector was developed, complemented by the addition of copper oxide nanoparticles to the CNF framework, resulting in the creation of a lithiophilic 3D current collector known as CuO‐CNF. Subsequently, a 3D lithium metal composite anode (CuO‐CNF−Li) was fabricated through an electrochemical plating process. The utilization of a 3D structure based on carbon nanofibers provides sufficient space and a stable framework for lithium ion plating, effectively accommodating the substantial volume changes that occur during repetitive Li plating and stripping. The copper oxide nanoparticles loaded onto the CNF serve as active sites for lithium nucleation, facilitating an ordered and uniform plating/stripping process of lithium ions, thereby preventing dendrite formation. Consequently, the CuO‐CNF current collector enables dendrite‐free Li plating/stripping with an average Coulomb efficiency of up to 99 % and a low nucleation overpotential of only 15 mV. Moreover, symmetric cell tests demonstrated an extended lifespan of 2700 h at 2 mA cm−2 for the CuO‐CNF−Li composite anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Electroplating & Finishing is the property of Electroplating & Finishing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)