**1. Introduction**

Materials are considered nanosized when one of the components dimensions are in the nanometer scale, with typical dimensions smaller than 100 nm. Nanocomposites are compo‐ sites in which one or more of the phases has dimensions in the nanoscale [1].

Nanocomposites are commonly known as materials consisting of two or more dissimilar materials with well-defined interfaces. Generally, one material forms a continuous matrix while the other provides the reinforcement [2].

They are reported to be the materials of 21st century in the view of possessing design unique‐ ness and property combinations that are not found in conventional composites. The general understanding of these properties is yet to be reached, even though the first inference on them was reported as early as 1992 [3]. Various techniques have been considered to prepare nanocomposite materials including thermal, plasma spraying and physical and chemical vapour deposition. Among these methods that is widely used, electrodeposition (ECD)), which offers several advantages when compared with other techniques [4]. Electrodeposition offers a lot of advantages over other surface modification techniques:

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Research into the preparation of nanocomposite coatings, by electrochemically co- deposition of fine particles with metal from electrolytic solutions, has been investigated by numerous authors [7-12].

As in the case of micro-composites, nanocomposite materials can be classified, according to their matrix materials, in three different categories;


Nanocomposite materials have been extensively investigated in bulk and thin film forms because of their wide range of applications, starting from traditional industries, such as general mechanics and automobiles, paper mills, textiles, and food industries, to high- technology industries, such as microelectronics and magnetoelectronics [24]. In addition, the applications of nanocomposite coatings include wear and abrasion-resistant surfaces, lubrication, high hardness tools, dispersion-strengthened alloys, and protection against oxidation and hot corrosion. It has been also used to produce high surface area cathodes that have been used as electro catalysts for hydrogen electrodes in industrial water electrolysis [25, 26].
