Enhancing the anti-tarnish and mechanical properties of gold-coated silver sheets for decorative applications using TiO2 film protection

Abstract

This study explores an innovative method to enhance the anti-tarnish and mechanical properties of gold-coated silver sheets, targeting decorative applications through the TiO₂ film coatings. The research focuses on gold films with a thickness of approximately 100 nm, and TiO₂ films ranging from 10 to 31 nm. It was observed that the color of the multilayer coatings exhibited significant sensitivity to variations in thickness, indicating that a TiO₂ coating with a thickness around 20 nm could be optimally applied to the gold film, maintaining an acceptable ΔE value. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis demonstrated the TiO₂ film’s potential to inhibit the formation of Ag₂S on the surface, thereby enhancing tarnish resistance. Furthermore, the application of a 20 nm TiO₂ layer reduced the friction coefficient from 0.28 to 0.24 for gold-coated silver. Durability tests involving 1,000 abrasion cycles revealed that the gold film without TiO₂ protection experienced delamination, with only about 57 % of the coated area remaining intact. In contrast, the samples protected with a TiO₂ layer retained approximately 90 % of the coating, underscoring the effectiveness of TiO₂ in preserving the structural integrity and appearance of the gold-coated silver sheets.