Effect of octylphenyl ether group nonionic surfactant on the electrodepositon of the hexagonal boron nitride reinforced Ni-B matrix composite coatings

Hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoparticle reinforced NiB matrix composite coatings were electrodeposited on steel substrates at a constant current of 50 mA cm−2. Nickel (II) sulfate hexahydrate and nickel (II) chloride hexahydrate were used as the nickel source and borane trimethylamine complex (TMAB) was used as a source of boron. The average particle size of hBN was 100 nm. Octylphenyl ether (Triton X-100) was used as the surfactant. The effect of surfactant concentration in terms of structural, nano-micro mechanical, tribological and corrosion protection performance of the coatings was investigated. The results of the study showed that Triton X-100 has beneficial effect on the mechanical, tribological and corrosion protection properties of the composite coatings thanks to its stabilizing effect on the deposition suspension. According to this study, Triton X-100 may be used as a surfactant for the electrodeposition of metal matrix composites. [Display omitted] •Triton has enhanced the both mechanical, tribological and corrosion protection properties with the increasing concentrations.•The enhancement arises from increasing volume fraction of hBN with increasing Triton concentrations.•Some heterogeneous mechanical properties have been seen on the surface of the composite coatings.•Triton may use as a nonionic surfactant for metal matrix composite electrodeposition due to its positive effects.