Electrochemical studies of nickel deposition from aqueous solution in super-gravity field

The effect of super-gravity on electrochemical deposition of nickel from aqueous solution was studied. The SEM pictures show that the microstructure of nickel film deposited under the super-gravity condition is finer and more uniform compared with that obtained in normal gravity condition, and the crystal grains diminish with the increase of super-gravity coefficient. The XRD patterns indicate that the ar-rangement of crystalline grains of nickel film deposited under the super-gravity field is more regular, and the crystalline grain sizes decrease with the increase of super-gravity coefficient. Toughness, tensile stress and hardness of the nickel film are markedly raised with the increase of super-gravity coefficient, and hydrogen content in the nickel film decreases with the increase of super-gravity coefficient. From the polarization curves of hydrogen evolution reaction under the su-per-gravity condition, a significant reduction of over-potential on electrode was found when current density increased. The process of hydrogen evolution reaction was enhanced under the super-gravity condition. The electro-deposition rate, the microstructure and properties of deposited nickel film under super-gravity condi-tion were still affected by the relative orientation between inertia force and depos-iting surface. It is favorable to gain the nickel film with better mechanic properties when inertia force orientates vertically towards depositing surface.