Tribological and electrochemical behavior of Ag₂O/ZnO/NiO nanocomposite coating on commercial pure titanium for biomedical applications

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the structural, tribological and electrochemical properties of Ag₂O, ZnO, NiO coatings and Ag₂O/ZnO/NiO nanocomposite films deposited on commercially pure titanium.

Design/methodology/approach

Ceramic thin films (Ag₂O, ZnO, NiO coatings and Ag₂O/ZnO/NiO nanocomposite film) were deposited on commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) substrate. Surface characterization of the uncoated and coated samples was made by structural surveys (scanning electron microscopic examinations and X-ray diffraction analyses), hardness measurements, tribological and corrosion experiments.

Findings

Results were indicated that sol-gel coatings improved the wear and corrosion resistance of CP-Ti, and the best results were seen at the nanocomposite coating. It may be attributed to its small grain size, high surface hardness and high film thickness.

Originality/value

This study can be a practical reference and offers insight into the influence of nanocomposite ceramic films on the increase of hardness, tribological and corrosion performance. Also, the paper displayed a promising approach to produce Ag₂O/ZnO/NiO nanocomposite coating on commercially pure titanium implants for biomedical applications.

Citation

Çomakli, O., Yazici, M., Yetim, T., Yetim, F. and Celik, A. (2019), "Tribological and electrochemical behavior of Ag₂O/ZnO/NiO nanocomposite coating on commercial pure titanium for biomedical applications", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 71 No. 10, pp. 1166-1176. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-11-2018-0414