Development and characterization of Ni and Ni-Graphene coatings obtained by electrodeposition on API 5L X80 steel

ABSTRACT The aim of the present work was to develop and characterize nanocomposite coatings of Ni and Ni-Graphene applied on API 5L X80 steel surface, using the electrodeposition process, to obtain better anticorrosive properties. Test specimens of dimensions of 20x20x3 mm were submitted to metallographic cleaning and preparation, for later deposition of the coatings. For the electrodeposition process, a nickel-based bath containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was used as the surfactant. To obtain the Ni-Graphene coatings, graphene particles (0.2 g/L) were added to the electrolytic bath. The electrodeposits obtained were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The insertion of graphene to the coating promoted the formation of deposits with more refined grains, and with a well-defined crystal growth direction. Deposits with overlapping lamellar structures were observed and associated to the graphene incorporated into the Ni matrix. The deposition of graphene influenced the preferential orientation of the grains during the electrodeposition process, with the plane (200) being identified as the preferred orientation for the Ni-Graphene nanocomposite. The Ni-Graphene coating obtained better corrosion performance in comparing to the coating of pure Ni and the base metal, presenting a higher corrosion potential value (Ecorr), lower corrosion current density (icorr) value and higher impedance modulus (|Z|).