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 arrangement 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 super-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 condition were still affected by the relative orientation between inertia force and depositing surface. It is favorable to gain the nickel film with better mechanic properties when inertia force orientates vertically towards depositing surface.