We have studied the electronic structure of nanocrystalline NiO thin films, grown by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering under different experimental conditions, using x-ray absorption spectroscopy. The O 1s and Ni 2p spectra showed distinct changes as a function of O2 content in the plasma, which were reproduced with cluster model calculations. These changes are attributed to the incrementing...

Ti-A-C-Ag (A is Si, Ge or Sn) nanocomposite coatings have been deposited by dc magnetron sputtering in an ultra high vacuum chamber. Electron microscopy, energydispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction show that all coatings contain nanocrystalline TiC and Ag grains in a matrix of mainly amorphous C. A C/Ti ratio above unity yields a homogenous distr...

Nanostructured coatings with variable contents of tungsten carbide (WC) and amorphous carbon (a-C) are prepared by controlling the sputtering power ratio using WC and graphite targets. XRD and TEM/ED analysis shows that increasing the C incorporation, the WC nanocrystalline phases evolve from γ-W2C to β-WC1-x. Further C enrichment leads to a nanocomposite structure of small WC1-x crystals dispe...

In this paper, Ni–TiO2 nanocomposite coatings with different sizes of TiO2 nanoparticles were successfully prepared by electrodeposition process from a nickel electrolyte in which the TiO2 nanoparticles were suspended. The influence of relevant deposition parameters on the nanocomposite coating characteristics was discussed. X-ray diffractometer has been applied in order to investigate the phas...

The elastic and vibrational properties of iron-nickel and aluminum nanoparticles and nanocrystalline materials have been investigated on the basis of molecular dynamics simulations and the embedded atom method for the description of the materials. It is well known that nanocrystalline solids, with grain sizes in the nanometer range, exhibit often unsual properties like increased hardness due to...

Nanocrystalline nickel molybdate (NiMoO(4)) thin film electrodes with a 3D honeycomb structure of uniform 17 nm diameter pores were successfully produced through facile polymer templating strategies. These novel sol-gel type materials exhibit enhanced lithium ion storage capabilities, and thus show promise for battery applications.

Nickel-palladium-gold-finished terminals are susceptible to creep corrosion. Excessive creep corrosion can result in device failure due to insulation resistance loss between adjacent terminals. The mixed flowing gas test has been demonstrated to produce creep corrosion on parts with nickel-palladium-gold finished terminals. Conformal coats are often used to protect printed wiring assemblies fro...

In part 1 of this review, emerging practice to realise nanostructured metallic coatings by electrodeposition, anodising and electrophoresis has been considered. Conventional, aqueous electrolytes may be utilised in some cases if workpiece preparation and process conditions are well controlled. Such coatings can provide wear and corrosion resistance or a catalytic or high active area compared to...