Electrolytic deposition of zirconia and zirconia organoceramic composites

Thin films Of zirconia and an organoceramic composite consisting of zirconi um hydroxide and poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) were obtaine d via cathodic electrodeposition. Films up to 10-mu m-thick were obtained o n Ni and porous Ni-yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) cermet substrates. By v arying the current density, concentrations of PDDA and zirconium salt, the amount of the deposited material and its composition could be controlled. T he deposits were studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and scanning el ectron microscopy (SEM). A mechanism of electrochemical intercalation of th e cationic polymer into zirconium hydroxide deposit is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.