Electrodeposited nanocrystals: Synthesis, properties and industrial applications

Abstract Electrodeposition of nanocrystals is a technologically and economically viable production route to synthesize porosity free pure metals, alloys and metal matrix composites both in bulk form and as coatings.Certain properties of nanostructured electrodeposits such as hardness, wear resistance and electrical resistivity are strongly affected by grain size. On the other hand, properties such as thermal expansion, Young's modulus and saturation magnetization show little grain size dependence. Potential applications of nanostructured electrodeposits range from corrosion and wear resistant coatings to soft magnetic materials for magnetic recording.