Cathodic electrophoretic deposition of α-Fe2O3 coating

Abstract

Submicro α-Fe 2 O 3 coatings were formed using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique in aqueous media. The zeta potentials of different α-Fe 2 O 3 suspensions with different additives were measured as a function of pH to identify the optimum suspension condition for deposition. Electrophoretic depositions of α-Fe 2 O 3 coatings under different applied electric fields and deposition time were studied and the effects of applied voltages and deposition time on deposition rates and thicknesses were investigated. The particle packing densities of the deposits at various applied voltages and deposition time were also analyzed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that crack-free α-Fe 2 O 3 coatings with uniform microstructure and good adherence to the nickel substrates are successfully obtained. Electrophoretic deposited α-Fe 2 O 3 coating from aqueous suspension is a feasible, low-cost and environmental friendly method.