Influence of pulse and direct current on electrodeposition of Ni–Gd <inf>2</inf> O <inf>3</inf> nanocomposite for micro hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance applications

In this study, Ni and Ni–Gd 2 O 3 nanocomposite are electrodeposited from nickel sulphamate electrolyte using pulse current (PC) and direct current (DC). The surface morphology, chemical composition, surface topography, preferred orientation, micro hardness and wear resistance of Ni and Ni–Gd 2 O 3 nanocomposite were characterized by SEM, EDAX, AFM, XRD, Vickers hardness tester and Taber Rotary Platform Abrasion Tester. The potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were studied in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. These results indicated that the pulse current method of Ni–Gd 2 O 3 nanocomposite offers uniform surface, higher micro hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance than the direct current method of Ni–Gd 2 O 3 nanocomposite.