Model of nickel electrodeposition from acidic medium

A step-wise computer model is presented for simultaneous deposition of nickel and nickel hydroxide in aqueous solutions. In acidic solutions (pH similar or equal to 1), the potentiostatic current-time transient response on glassy carbon or titanium was analysed with respect to nucleation and radial growth mechanism. pH changes influence the current-time response greatly. A marked maximum in the current transient appears for slightly acidic solutions (pH greater than or equal to 4.5) and a consecutive decrease in the deposition current density at long times is obtained. This behaviour is attributed to early precipitation of nickel hydroxide due to a local pH increase at the cathode surface.