Availableonlineatwww.sciencedirect.com Materials ScienceDirect Research Bulletin ELSEVIER Materials Research Bulletin 43(2008)1814-1828 Optimization of electrophoretic deposition of alumina onto steel substrates from its suspension in iso-propanol using statistical design of experiments Gauray mohanty a, Laxmidhar Besra., * Sarama Bhattacharjee b, Bimal P. Singh b Colloids and Materials Chemistry Research Group, Regional Research Laboratory(CSIR), Bhubaneswar 751013, Orissa, India Received 12 February 2007; received in revised form 17 June 2007: accepted 3 July 2007 Available online 17 July 2007 Abstract .n Statistical design of experiments was used to investigate the effect the process parameters on electrophoretic deposition(EPD)of alumina onto steel substrates from its suspension in iso-propanol. The process parameters considered were() concentration of particles in the suspension(solid loading), (ii)electrode separation, (iii)applied potential, and (iv)deposition time on the quantity ceramic particles electrophoretically deposited. A 2" full factorial matrix, with four repetitions of the center point, was used to develop the predictive regression equation for deposition of alumina per unit area of the electrode in the design space. The results show that particle concentration has the most dominant effect with more than 50%o contribution to the deposited amount. A good correlation was obtained between predicted and experimental values suggesting that the model can predict data accurately in the experimental matrix. C 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: A. Ceramics: A. Composites; A. Multilayers; A. Thin films 1. Introduction lectrophoretic deposition(EPD), a colloidal deposition technique in ceramic processing has recently gaine ncreased application in a variety of field including preparation of thick film of silica [1], nano-size zeolite membrane [2], hydroxyapatite coating on metal substrate for biomedical applications [3, 41, luminescent materials[5-7 high-Tc superconducting films [8,9], gas diffusion electrodes and sensors [10,11], multi-layer composites [12], glass and ceramic matrix composites by infiltration of ceramic particles onto fibre fabrics [13], oxide nano-rods[ 14], carbon nanotube film [15], functionally graded ceramics [16, 17], layered ceramics [18], superconductors [19, 2( piezoelectric materials [21],etc. In EPD process, charged powder particles, dispersed stably in a liquid medium are attracted and deposited onto a substrate of opposite charge on application of a dc electric field. The advantages of EPD include simplicity, low cost equipment, good control of deposition thickness, short formation time, little restriction on the shape of the substrate, suitability for mass production, and no requirement for binder burnout as the green coating contains fewer or no Corresponding author E-mail address: ldbesra@rrlbhu res in (L. Besra). D025-5408/S- see front matter C 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved doi: 10. 1016/j. materresbull 2007.07 014
Optimization of electrophoretic deposition of alumina onto steel substrates from its suspension in iso-propanol using statistical design of experiments Gaurav Mohanty a , Laxmidhar Besra b, *, Sarama Bhattacharjee b , Bimal P. Singh b a Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal 575025, Karnataka, India bColloids and Materials Chemistry Research Group, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Bhubaneswar 751013, Orissa, India Received 12 February 2007; received in revised form 17 June 2007; accepted 3 July 2007 Available online 17 July 2007 Abstract Statistical design of experiments was used to investigate the effect the process parameters on electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of alumina onto steel substrates from its suspension in iso-propanol. The process parameters considered were (i) concentration of particles in the suspension (solid loading), (ii) electrode separation, (iii) applied potential, and (iv) deposition time on the quantity of ceramic particles electrophoretically deposited. A 24 full factorial matrix, with four repetitions of the center point, was used to develop the predictive regression equation for deposition of alumina per unit area of the electrode in the design space. The results show that particle concentration has the most dominant effect with more than 50% contribution to the deposited amount. A good correlation was obtained between predicted and experimental values suggesting that the model can predict data accurately in the experimental matrix. # 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: A. Ceramics; A. Composites; A. Multilayers; A. Thin films 1. Introduction Electrophoretic deposition (EPD), a colloidal deposition technique in ceramic processing has recently gained increased application in a variety of field including preparation of thick film of silica [1], nano-size zeolite membrane [2], hydroxyapatite coating on metal substrate for biomedical applications [3,4], luminescent materials [5–7], high-Tc superconducting films [8,9], gas diffusion electrodes and sensors [10,11], multi-layer composites [12], glass and ceramic matrix composites by infiltration of ceramic particles onto fibre fabrics [13], oxide nano-rods [14], carbon nanotube film [15], functionally graded ceramics [16,17], layered ceramics [18], superconductors [19,20], piezoelectric materials [21], etc. In EPD process, charged powder particles, dispersed stably in a liquid medium are attracted and deposited onto a substrate of opposite charge on application of a dc electric field. The advantages of EPD include simplicity, low cost equipment, good control of deposition thickness, short formation time, little restriction on the shape of the substrate, suitability for mass production, and no requirement for binder burnout as the green coating contains fewer or no www.elsevier.com/locate/matresbu Materials Research Bulletin 43 (2008) 1814–1828 * Corresponding author. E-mail address: ldbesra@rrlbhu.res.in (L. Besra). 0025-5408/$ – see front matter # 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.materresbull.2007.07.014
G Mohanty et al./Materials Research Bulletin 43(2008)1814-1828 organics. The driving force for the electrophoretic mobility of the particles is mainly the magnitude of surface charge/ zeta potential of the particle in suspension. But there are also other parameters which can be grouped into two broad categories[22-26]:(i) those related to the suspension and substrate and (ii) those related to the process. The parameters related to the suspension and substrate include particle size, dielectric constant of the solvent, conductivity of the suspension, viscosity of the suspension and zeta potential and conductivity of the substrate. The parameters related to the process include particle mass concentration in the suspension, separation between the electrodes, applied voltage, and deposition time. But once the solvent, particle and substrates are fixed, the variable parameters which can be effectively controlled to optimize EPD are the process parameters. In a classical approach, optimization is done by varying one-factor-at-a-time while keeping the others constant. This method consists of successively varying each factor over its range with the other factors are held constant. This experimentation strategy does not provide any idea about the individual contribution of each factor towards the response and fails to consider any interactional effect of two or more variables which is more likely in an actual operating environment. The statistical optimization technique using full factorial design of experiments is an useful tool which a allows one to obtain appropriate data that can be analyzed to arrive at an objective conclusions and determine the optimum conditions through a relatively smaller number of systematic experiments [27]. Using a proper design matrix and systematically varying different variables one can obtain regression equations, which highlights the effect of ndividual parameters and their relative importance in given operation/process. In the conventional experimentation method of one-factor-at-a-time, only one factor is varied over its range with the other factors held nteraction effect of two or more variables cannot be determined using this approach. The primary advantage of statistical methods is that the interactional effects of two or more variables can also be known. It also adds objectivity to the decision-making process. They allow us to measure the likely error in a conclusion or to attach a level of confidence to a statement. When the problem involves data that are subject to experimental errors, statistical methodology is the only objective approach to analysis. In this paper we present a systematic investigation on the use of statistical design of experiments to optimize and develop quantitative understanding on the effect of process variables on the yield of electrophoretic deposition of alumina on steel substrates and highlight the methodologies and significance of each analysis in arriving at the optimized condition. The effects of individual parameters as well as their nteractional effects have also been highlighted. 2.. Materials The calcined alumina powder( Grade CT 3000SG)used for electrophoretic deposition in the present investigation was supplied by Alcoa, India. The powder had a mean particle size of 0. 7 um, BET surface area of 7.0 m g and sintered density of 3.9 g/cm. The organic solvent, propan-2-ol( C3HgO), used as the dispersing medium, was supplied by SD Fine Chemicals, Mumbai. The solvent was 99.5% pure with 0. 1%o residual water content in it. Stainless steel lates(20.5 mm x 20.5 mm x 5 mm) were used as the substrates for electrophoretic deposition. a stainless steel strip of the same dimension was used as the counter electrode. The substrates and the counter electrodes were thoroughly cleaned before use 2.2. Methods The suspension for electrophoretic deposition was prepared by dispersing alumina powder in the iso-propanol solvent media. The suspension was first magnetically stirred(REMI EQUIPMENTS) at moderate speed for 10 min followed by ultrasonication for 20 min by Vibronic Ultrasonic Processor(Model P2)at 200 V. The surface charge of alumina suspension measured by particle charge detector(PCD-03-pH, Mutek, Germany)was -0 18 C/g Conductivity of the suspension varied between 1.64 uS at 10%(w/v) particle loading to 3. 34 uS for 30%(w/v) particle loading Deposition experiments were conducted in a setup(Fig. 1)similar to that used by Besra et al. [28]. It consists of two lectrode holders made of Teflon as the principal components. One of the electrode holders is fixed and the other is movable and can slide along two parallel rods at the bottom so that the distance between the electrodes can be adjusted to desirable position. The electrodes are fixed onto the holders such that they face each other. Adequate clearance was provided beneath the setup to accommodate a magnetic bead. Each of the electrode holders has a square window
organics. The driving force for the electrophoretic mobility of the particles is mainly the magnitude of surface charge/ zeta potential of the particle in suspension. But there are also other parameters which can be grouped into two broad categories [22–26]: (i) those related to the suspension and substrate and (ii) those related to the process. The parameters related to the suspension and substrate include particle size, dielectric constant of the solvent, conductivity of the suspension, viscosity of the suspension and zeta potential and conductivity of the substrate. The parameters related to the process include particle mass concentration in the suspension, separation between the electrodes, applied voltage, and deposition time. But once the solvent, particle and substrates are fixed, the variable parameters which can be effectively controlled to optimize EPD are the process parameters. In a classical approach, optimization is done by varying one-factor-at-a-time while keeping the others constant. This method consists of successively varying each factor over its range with the other factors are held constant. This experimentation strategy does not provide any idea about the individual contribution of each factor towards the response and fails to consider any interactional effect of two or more variables which is more likely in an actual operating environment. The statistical optimization technique using full factorial design of experiments is an useful tool which allows one to obtain appropriate data that can be analyzed to arrive at an objective conclusions and determine the optimum conditions through a relatively smaller number of systematic experiments [27]. Using a proper design matrix and systematically varying different variables one can obtain regression equations, which highlights the effect of individual parameters and their relative importance in given operation/process. In the conventional experimentation method of one-factor-at-a-time, only one factor is varied over its range with the other factors held constant. The interaction effect of two or more variables cannot be determined using this approach. The primary advantage of statistical methods is that the interactional effects of two or more variables can also be known. It also adds objectivity to the decision-making process. They allow us to measure the likely error in a conclusion or to attach a level of confidence to a statement. When the problem involves data that are subject to experimental errors, statistical methodology is the only objective approach to analysis. In this paper we present a systematic investigation on the use of statistical design of experiments to optimize and develop quantitative understanding on the effect of process variables on the yield of electrophoretic deposition of alumina on steel substrates and highlight the methodologies and significance of each analysis in arriving at the optimized condition. The effects of individual parameters as well as their interactional effects have also been highlighted. 2. Experimentals 2.1. Materials The calcined alumina powder (Grade CT 3000SG) used for electrophoretic deposition in the present investigation was supplied by Alcoa, India. The powder had a mean particle size of 0.7 mm, BET surface area of 7.0 m2 /g and sintered density of 3.9 g/cm3 . The organic solvent, propan-2-ol (C3H8O), used as the dispersing medium, was supplied by SD Fine Chemicals, Mumbai. The solvent was 99.5% pure with 0.1% residual water content in it. Stainless steel plates (20.5 mm 20.5 mm 5 mm) were used as the substrates for electrophoretic deposition. A stainless steel strip of the same dimension was used as the counter electrode. The substrates and the counter electrodes were thoroughly cleaned before use. 2.2. Methods The suspension for electrophoretic deposition was prepared by dispersing alumina powder in the iso-propanol solvent media. The suspension was first magnetically stirred (REMI EQUIPMENTS) at moderate speed for 10 min followed by ultrasonication for 20 min by Vibronic Ultrasonic Processor (Model P2) at 200 V. The surface charge of alumina suspension measured by particle charge detector (PCD-03-pH, Mutek, Germany) was 0.18 C/g. Conductivity of the suspension varied between 1.64 mS at 10% (w/v) particle loading to 3.34 mS for 30% (w/v) particle loading. Deposition experiments were conducted in a setup (Fig. 1) similar to that used by Besra et al. [28]. It consists of two electrode holders made of Teflon as the principal components. One of the electrode holders is fixed and the other is movable and can slide along two parallel rods at the bottom so that the distance between the electrodes can be adjusted to desirable position. The electrodes are fixed onto the holders such that they face each other. Adequate clearance was provided beneath the setup to accommodate a magnetic bead. Each of the electrode holders has a square window G. Mohanty et al. / Materials Research Bulletin 43 (2008) 1814–1828 1815
l816 G Mohanty et al. /Materials Research Bulletin 43(2008)1814-1828 D.C Cathode Fig. 1. Electrophoretic deposition setup. facing each other to fix the electrodes on it. The area of the deposition as well as counter electrode exposed to the suspension was 4 cm". The stainless steel substrates were mounted on the holders with a spring contact at the back to act as electrical contact. The holders along with electrodes were dipped into the silica glass reservoir containing the alumina suspension followed by application of desired dc voltage for a prerequisite time. Sedimentation of the alumina particles was prevented by mild stirring using a magnetic bead stirrer as shown in Fig. 1. Constant voltage electrophoretic deposition experiments were carried out at conditions within the statistical design matrix. The negatively charged particles got deposited on the anode. After deposition, the electrodes were carefully taken out and the deposits were allowed to dry at room temperature for 24 h. The deposits along with the substrate were then eighed to determine the yield. The suspension was replenished after every three deposits [29] 23. Statistical design and modeling Factorial designs allow to analyse the effects of several different factors and combine them into a response model. They are the most commonly used statistical designs due to their simplicity with regard to both preparation and analysis of the results. Although primarily used for screening significant factors, they are also used sequentially to model and refine a process. The 2 design provides the smallest number of runs with which k factors can be studied in a complete factorial design. In a 2 design, all combinations of k-factors are set at two levels with respect to center point and are evaluated The two levels are the allowable limits, i.e., the maximum and minimum values set on the basis of preliminary trials. The final relationship that is eventually determined must hold within these limits. The assumptions for making the 2 design valid include linearity of response over the range of the factors chosen, randomization of the designs and satisfaction of the usual normality assumptions. Perfect linearity, however, is unnecessary and the 2 system will work quite well even when the linearity assumption holds very approximately [27]. In fact, the addition of interaction terms to the main effects provides a model that is capable of representing some curvature in the response function. The 2" design augmented with center point replicates is an excellent way to obtain an indication of potential non-linearity or curvature of the response. It allows one to keep the size and complexity of the design low and simultaneously obtain some protection against curvature. Also center points do not impact the usual effects estimate
facing each other to fix the electrodes on it. The area of the deposition as well as counter electrode exposed to the suspension was 4 cm2 . The stainless steel substrates were mounted on the holders with a spring contact at the back to act as electrical contact. The holders along with electrodes were dipped into the silica glass reservoir containing the alumina suspension followed by application of desired dc voltage for a prerequisite time. Sedimentation of the alumina particles was prevented by mild stirring using a magnetic bead stirrer as shown in Fig. 1. Constant voltage electrophoretic deposition experiments were carried out at conditions within the statistical design matrix. The negatively charged particles got deposited on the anode. After deposition, the electrodes were carefully taken out and the deposits were allowed to dry at room temperature for 24 h. The deposits along with the substrate were then weighed to determine the yield. The suspension was replenished after every three deposits [29]. 2.3. Statistical design and modeling Factorial designs allow to analyse the effects of several different factors and combine them into a response model. They are the most commonly used statistical designs due to their simplicity with regard to both preparation and analysis of the results. Although primarily used for screening significant factors, they are also used sequentially to model and refine a process. The 2k design provides the smallest number of runs with which k factors can be studied in a complete factorial design. In a 2k design, all combinations of k-factors are set at two levels with respect to center point and are evaluated. The two levels are the allowable limits, i.e., the maximum and minimum values set on the basis of preliminary trials. The final relationship that is eventually determined must hold within these limits. The assumptions for making the 2k design valid include linearity of response over the range of the factors chosen, randomization of the designs and satisfaction of the usual normality assumptions. Perfect linearity, however, is unnecessary and the 2k system will work quite well even when the linearity assumption holds very approximately [27]. In fact, the addition of interaction terms to the main effects provides a model that is capable of representing some curvature in the response function. The 2k design augmented with center point replicates is an excellent way to obtain an indication of potential non-linearity or curvature of the response. It allows one to keep the size and complexity of the design low and simultaneously obtain some protection against curvature. Also center points do not impact the usual effects estimate in a 2k design [27]. 1816 G. Mohanty et al. / Materials Research Bulletin 43 (2008) 1814–1828 Fig. 1. Electrophoretic deposition setup
G Mohanty et al./ Materials Research Bulletin 43(2008)1814-1828 2. 4. Design matrix A full 2* factorial design with addition of four center point experiments was chosen to model particle deposition Design Expert v 7 statistical software(Stat Ease Inc )was used for the analysis of the experimental data and for statistical modeling. The four factors investigated were: (i) concentration, (ii) electrode separation, (iii) applied voltage, and (iv)deposition time by A, B, C and D, respectively. Each factor was run at two levels and the intermediate response was assumed to be linear, which is necessary for 2 designs. The possibility of non-linearity within the design space has been accounted for through the introduction of center points and model augmentation. The center points are essentially used to test for evidence of pure second-order or quadratic effects in the response region of exploration. The high and low levels for each factor as given in Table I were chosen on the basis of preliminary trials. These high and low levels are expressed in coded form as -l and +l, respectively to convert the absolute quantity into a dimensionless quantity making the handling of the experimental data convenient. Also since all variables used in the model are normalized to vary in this way, the relative change of a variable is directly related to the size of its regression coefficient. The weight of the alumina deposit was studied as the response for the different combinations of factor levels. Table 2 shows the experimental matrix in actual and coded factors along with the weight of alumina deposited as response. The regression equation for the matrix is then represented by the following expression Y=b0+b1X1+b2X2+b3X3+ b4X4+ b12X1X2+b13X1X3+ b14X1X4+ b23X2X3+b34X2X4+ b34X3X4 +b123X1X2X3+b124X1X2X4+b134X1X3X4+b234X2X3X4+b1234X1X2X3X4 where y is the response (alumina deposited weight), bo a constant, i.e., response at the zero level(center point) experiment, b1, b2, b3 and ba the linear coefficients(independent parameters), b12, b13, b14, b23, b24, b34, b123, b134, b234, b1234 are interaction coefficients representing the parameters in their coded form. The relationship between the actual and coded values are given below XI X,、2 and X The regression coefficients were estimated by the following expression b (XXk…Xn)Y j…,i=1,2,3,…n The experimental order for obtaining the responses were done by a completely randomized design in which the allocations of the experimental parameters as well as the order in which the individual runs or trials of the experiment are to be performed are randomly determined. Such randomization of the order of experiments tend to average out the effect of any uncontrolled variables and validate the usual normality assumptions. All the factors except concentration have been randomly selected Randomization with respect to concentration was not possible because each alumina suspension was used for three deposition experiments before replenishing it with a fresh one. Table 3 shows weight deposited for same suspension as well for second suspension under similar deposition conditions. It was found that the difference in weight of alumina deposited varies by about 7%(max) for the replicated center points and by 4%(max) for runs replicated from the same suspension. The center point placement was non-random as this is a well-known process. Two center points were front loaded in the run order and the remaining two were run at the end. Transformation of the response data was necessary in our analysis since the ratio of maximum to minimum value of response obtained in the design matrix was very large. Transformations apply a mathematical function to all the Table I Actual vis-a-vis coded values of parameters Concentration(A)(wt/100 ml) Electrode separation(B)(cm) Applied potential (C)(V) Deposition time(D)( Actual(xu) Code(X1) Actual(x Code(X,) Actual (x3) Code(X3) Actual (x4) Code(X4) Max level 30 3 Min level 10 Zero level 20 0 0
2.4. Design matrix A full 24 factorial design with addition of four center point experiments was chosen to model particle deposition Design Expert v.7 statistical software (Stat Ease Inc.) was used for the analysis of the experimental data and for statistical modeling. The four factors investigated were: (i) concentration, (ii) electrode separation, (iii) applied voltage, and (iv) deposition time by A, B, C and D, respectively. Each factor was run at two levels and the intermediate response was assumed to be linear, which is necessary for 2k designs. The possibility of non-linearity within the design space has been accounted for through the introduction of center points and model augmentation. The center points are essentially used to test for evidence of pure second-order or quadratic effects in the response region of exploration. The high and low levels for each factor as given in Table 1 were chosen on the basis of preliminary trials. These high and low levels are expressed in coded form as 1 and +1, respectively to convert the absolute quantity into a dimensionless quantity making the handling of the experimental data convenient. Also since all variables used in the model are normalized to vary in this way, the relative change of a variable is directly related to the size of its regression coefficient. The weight of the alumina deposit was studied as the response for the different combinations of factor levels. Table 2 shows the experimental matrix in actual and coded factors along with the weight of alumina deposited as response. The regression equation for the matrix is then represented by the following expression: Y ¼ b0 þ b1X1 þ b2X2 þ b3X3 þ b4X4 þ b12X1X2 þ b13X1X3 þ b14X1X4 þ b23X2X3 þ b24X2X4 þ b34X3X4 þ b123X1X2X3 þ b124X1X2X4 þ b134X1X3X4 þ b234X2X3X4 þ b1234X1X2X3X4 where Y is the response (alumina deposited weight), b0 a constant, i.e., response at the zero level (center point) experiment, b1, b2, b3 and b4 the linear coefficients (independent parameters), b12, b13, b14, b23, b24, b34, b123, b134, b234, b1234 are interaction coefficients representing the parameters in their coded form. The relationship between the actual and coded values are given below: X1 ¼ x1 20 10 ; X2 ¼ x2 2 1 ; X3 ¼ x3 225 75 ; and X4 ¼ x4 2 1 The regression coefficients were estimated by the following expression: bo ¼ X i¼1;2;3; ;n Yi N ; bj ¼ X j;i¼1;2;3; ;n X jYi N ; bjk n ¼ X j;k;...;i¼1;2;3; ;n ðX jXk ... XnÞYi N The experimental order for obtaining the responses were done by a completely randomized design in which the allocations of the experimental parameters as well as the order in which the individual runs or trials of the experiment are to be performed are randomly determined. Such randomization of the order of experiments tend to average out the effect of any uncontrolled variables and validate the usual normality assumptions. All the factors except concentration have been randomly selected. Randomization with respect to concentration was not possible because each alumina suspension was used for three deposition experiments before replenishing it with a fresh one. Table 3 shows weight deposited for same suspension as well for second suspension under similar deposition conditions. It was found that the difference in weight of alumina deposited varies by about 7% (max) for the replicated center points and by 4% (max) for runs replicated from the same suspension. The center point placement was non-random as this is a well-known process. Two center points were front loaded in the run order and the remaining two were run at the end. Transformation of the response data was necessary in our analysis since the ratio of maximum to minimum value of response obtained in the design matrix was very large. Transformations apply a mathematical function to all the G. Mohanty et al. / Materials Research Bulletin 43 (2008) 1814–1828 1817 Table 1 Actual vis-a`-vis coded values of parameters Level Concentratioin (A) (wt/100 ml) Electrode separation (B) (cm) Applied potential (C) (V) Deposition time (D) (min) Actual (x1) Code (X1) Actual (x2) Code (X2) Actual (x3) Code (X3) Actual (x4) Code (X4) Max level 30 + 3 + 300 + 3 + Min level 10 1 150 1 Zero level 20 0 2 0 225 0 2 0
l818 G Mohanty et al. /Materials Research Bulletin 43(2008)1814-1828 Table 2 Experimental matrix(according to standard order Standard Experiment Concentration Electrode separation tion Weight deposited order potential (V) Actual Coded Coded Actual Coded 6 150 16 150 23456789 0 4.15 0 18 11 - 5835 300 43.975 0 18975 10 123456789 37240857429 000000000000 1111111110000 3113311332222 150 150 150 3333332 63.225 38.025 28525 0000 11110000 0000 38.025 Error in repeating experimental trials from the same suspension Suspension Weight deposited %o Difference in deposit Deposit 1 38.02 38.125 0.100 0.26 39.32 1625 response data and are generally used for three purposes: (i) stabilizing response variance, (ii) making the distribution of the response variable closer to the normal distribution, and (iii) improving the fit of the model to the data [27 Transforming the response will make a difference only if the ratio of the maximum response to the minimum response is large. A ratio greater than 10 usually indicates that a transformation is required. Since the ratio of the maximum response to the minimum within the design space was 38.85, we applied a square transformation as suggested by the Box-Cox plot The EFFECT of a factor is the change in the response produced by a change in the level of the factor. The total number of effects in a 2 factorial design is 15. There are four main effects namely A-D which are due to variation of a single factor at a time. There are ll interaction effects namely AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD, ABC, ABD, CD, BCD and ABCD that are due to variation in two or more factors, simultaneously. An interaction occurs when the effect of one factor depends on the level of another factor. The interaction effects are generally different from sum of the effects expected from either factor alone. The effects along with their contribution towards the response is summarized in Tables 4a and 4b. Concentration contributes more towards the weight of the alumina deposited than all other effects combined together (more than 50%0). Other major contributing factors are deposition time, applied potential and
response data and are generally used for three purposes: (i) stabilizing response variance, (ii) making the distribution of the response variable closer to the normal distribution, and (iii) improving the fit of the model to the data [27]. Transforming the response will make a difference only if the ratio of the maximum response to the minimum response is large. A ratio greater than 10 usually indicates that a transformation is required. Since the ratio of the maximum response to the minimum within the design space was 38.85, we applied a square transformation as suggested by the Box–Cox plot. 2.5. Effects The EFFECT of a factor is the change in the response produced by a change in the level of the factor. The total number of effects in a 24 factorial design is 15. There are four main effects namely A–D which are due to variation of a single factor at a time. There are 11 interaction effects namely AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD, ABC, ABD, CD, BCD and ABCD that are due to variation in two or more factors, simultaneously. An interaction occurs when the effect of one factor depends on the level of another factor. The interaction effects are generally different from sum of the effects expected from either factor alone. The effects along with their contribution towards the response is summarized in Tables 4a and 4b. Concentration contributes more towards the weight of the alumina deposited than all other effects combined together (more than 50%). Other major contributing factors are deposition time, applied potential and 1818 G. Mohanty et al. / Materials Research Bulletin 43 (2008) 1814–1828 Table 2 Experimental matrix (according to standard order) Standard order Experiment order Concentration (% w/v) Electrode separation (cm) Applied potential (V) Deposition time (min) Weight deposited (mg/cm2 ) Actual (x1) Coded (X1) Actual (x2) Coded (X2) Actual (x3) Coded (X3) Actual (x4) Coded (X4) 1 6 10 1 1 1 150 1 1 1 10.45 2 16 30 1 1 1 150 1 1 1 37.425 3 3 10 1 3 1 150 1 1 1 4.15 4 9 30 1 3 1 150 1 1 1 24.175 5 18 10 1 1 1 300 1 1 1 14.7 6 11 30 1 1 1 300 1 1 1 58.35 7 5 10 1 3 1 300 1 1 1 9.975 8 13 30 1 3 1 300 1 1 1 43.975 9 7 10 1 1 1 150 1 3 1 18.975 10 12 30 1 1 1 150 1 3 1 99.9 11 4 10 1 3 1 150 1 3 1 14.15 12 10 30 1 3 1 150 1 3 1 63.225 13 8 10 1 1 1 300 1 3 1 38.025 14 15 30 1 1 1 300 1 3 1 161.225 15 17 10 1 3 1 300 1 3 1 28.525 16 14 30 1 3 1 300 1 3 1 106.85 17 2 20 0 2 0 225 0 2 0 38.125 18 19 20 0 2 0 225 0 2 0 40.95 19 1 20 0 2 0 225 0 2 0 38.025 20 20 20 0 2 0 225 0 2 0 39.325 Table 3 Error in repeating experimental trials from the same suspension Suspension Weight deposited Difference % Difference in deposit Deposit 1 Deposit 2 Suspension 1 38.025 38.125 0.100 0.26 Suspension 2 40.95 39.325 1.625 3.96 Maximum difference between replicates = 7.14%.