An Overview on the Preparation, Characterization and Properties of Electrodeposited-Metal Matrix Nanocomposites

Abstract

Several routes are available for the preparation of metal matrix nanocomposites. A variety of metal matrix nanocomposite materials with unique properties containing large range of diverse reinforcement have been prepared by various techniques characterized and utilized in many applications ranging from photo catalysis, photovoltaic cells, photoelectrochromic displays and light- emitting devices to sensors. In this review, we highlight the results of studies that have been obtained for metal matrix nanocomposites by electrodeposition which covers especially recent developments, variation in the physical and mechanical properties and their correlations with particle size and content of reinforcing particles. Many factors such as characteristics of matrix metal and particles itself along with other bath and deposition variables are found to influence the codeposition process, which led to some understanding of the mechanism. Models to predict the codeposition rate have been developed, but are only partly successful. Keywords: