In this work, selected properties of metallic and oxide thin films based on titanium and cobalt were described. Thin-film coatings were prepared using the magnetron sputtering method. The deposition was carried out from sintered targets with different Co-content (2 at.%, 12 at.% and 50 at.%). The relation between the Ti–Co target composition and the Co-content in the metallic and oxide films was examined. There was 15–20% more cobalt in the films than in the target. Moreover, the deposition rate under neutral conditions (in Ar plasma) was even 10-times higher compared to oxidizing Ar:O₂ (70:30) plasma. A comprehensive analysis of the structural properties (performed with GIXRD and SEM) revealed the amorphous nature of (Ti,Co)Ox coatings, regardless of the cobalt content in the coating. The fine-grained, homogenous microstructure was observed, where cracks and voids were identified only for films with high Co-content. Optical studies have shown that these films were well transparent (60% ÷ 80%), and the amount of cobalt in the target from which they were sputtered had a significant impact on the decrease in the transparency level, the slight shift of the absorption edge position (from 279 nm to 289 nm) as well as the decrease in their optical band gap energy (from 3.13 eV to 1.71 eV). Electrical studies have shown that in (Ti,Co)Ox thin films, a unipolar memristive-like effect can be observed. The occurrence of such effects has not been reported so far in the case of TiO₂ coatings with the addition of Co.

Novel siliconized Mo-Re coatings dedicated to applications in the glass industry are shown in this paper. The study aims at the characterization of morphology, phase composition, and oxidation behavior of siliconized Mo-based coatings deposited on a ceramic–metal substrate. Two coatings with different contents of rhenium were prepared using a hybrid process that includes atmospheric plasma spraying and pack siliconizing. The microstructure, chemical, and phase composition of the obtained coatings were characterized and compared to Mo coating. Moreover, a characterization of starting powders was performed. After the description of the coatings’ microstructure, oxidation tests were carried out at 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C. The surface condition of oxidized coatings was investigated. The structure of Re-containing coatings after the siliconizing process was comparable. Both were composed of Mo and (Mo,Re)Si₂-ReSi_1.75 layers. However, in the case of Mo-44Re (wt.%) coating, a higher concentration of rhenium silicide was observed compared to that of coating containing 15% Re. The Re-containing silicide layers were characterized by a presence of lower content of hexagonal MoSi₂ compared to that of non-alloyed MoSi₂. The oxidation resistance of both coatings containing rhenium was comparable; however, the one with a higher amount of Re exhibited slightly higher durability in high-temperature oxidation.

The aim of this work was to develop a new coating material based on Ni20Cr alloy modified with up to 50%wt. rhenium. The modification was carried out by the mechanical mixing of the base powder and ammonium perrhenate with the subsequent thermoreduction in an H₂ atmosphere. The obtained powder consists of a nickel–chromium core surrounded by a rhenium shell. The characterization of the powders—including their microstructure, phase and chemical composition, density, flowability, particle size distribution, and specific surface area—was performed. The influence of plasma current intensity and hydrogen gas flow on in-flight particle temperature and velocity were investigated. The results indicate that there is interdiffusion between the base Ni20Cr and the rhenium shell, resulting in intermediary solid solution(s). The modified powders have a higher specific surface area and a lower flowability, but this does not prevent them from being used as feedstock in plasma spraying. In-flight measurements reveal that increasing the content of rhenium allows for the higher temperature of particles, though it also reduces their speed.