Characterization and performance evaluation of Cu-based/TiO₂ nano composites

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Corrosion Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Copper and its alloys are vital in industrial and food contact applications.
• Copper metal matrix composites are gaining research interest for their enhanced properties.
• Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles offer potential for reinforcing copper matrices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of TiO2 nanoparticle addition on copper nanocomposite hardness.
• To evaluate the corrosion behavior of Cu/TiO2 nanocomposites in diverse chemical environments.
• To determine the relationship between TiO2 content and the mechanical and electrochemical properties of copper.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Cu/TiO2 nanocomposites using powder metallurgy with varying TiO2 weight percentages (up to 12 wt.%).
• Assessment of hardness using Vickers hardness testing.
• Evaluation of corrosion behavior via potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.
• Testing in 3.5 wt.% NaCl, 0.5 M NaOH, and 0.5 M H2SO4 solutions representing different pH levels.

Main Results:

• Hardness of pure copper increased significantly from 53 to 91 HV with 12 wt.% TiO2 addition.
• Corrosion current density (Icorr) of Cu/TiO2 nanocomposites was higher than that of pure copper across all tested solutions.
• Corrosion resistance of copper nanocomposites decreased as the concentration of TiO2 nanoparticles increased.
• Specimens showed lower corrosion current densities in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution compared to NaOH and H2SO4 solutions.

Conclusions:

• TiO2 nanoparticle reinforcement enhances the hardness of copper.
• Increased TiO2 content in copper nanocomposites leads to reduced corrosion resistance.
• The corrosive environment significantly influences the corrosion behavior of Cu/TiO2 nanocomposites, with NaCl being the least aggressive tested medium.