Influence of Y2O3 nanoparticles on microstructures and properties of electrodeposited Ni–W–Y2O3 nanocrystalline coatings

In this study, Ni–W nanocrystalline alloy coatings incorporated with different amounts of Y2O3 nanoparticles (0–20 g/L in the electrolyte) were successfully synthesized via direct current electrodeposition method at an applied current density of 2 A/dm2. The microstructure, morphology, chemical composition, microhardness and electrochemical performance of the deposited coatings were comprehensively investigated to unveil the fundamental effects of the Y2O3 addition. Results indicate that Y2O3 nanoparticles were uniformly incorporated in the composite coatings. The incorporated Y2O3 nanoparticles contributed to a compact and smooth coating surface. The microstructures of the deposited coatings that determined from the broadening of X-ray diffraction peaks proved that the addition of nanoparticle resulted in microstructure refinements, and the composite coating deposited from an electrolyte containing 10 g/L Y2O3 nanoparticles showed the smallest crystallite size 15.5 nm and the largest microstrain 0.59%. The microhardness increased from 533 to 789 HV as the concentration of Y2O3 particles in the electrolyte increased from 0 to 20 g/L. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of the composite coatings improved due to the incorporation of Y2O3 nanoparticles and the composite coating electrodeposited from an electrolyte containing 10 g/L Y2O3 nanoparticles exhibited the highest anti-corrosion performance. •Ni–W–Y2O3 nanocrystalline coatings were successfully fabricated by direct current electrodeposition.•Y2O3 nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in the volume of the composite coatings.•Grain refinement and optimized surface properties were obtained by incorporating Y2O3 nanoparticles.•Hardness and corrosion resistance of Ni–W–Y2O3 coatings were significantly enhanced.