E.A. Pavlatou, N. Spyrellis
Russian Journal of Electrochemistry (2008), 44, 745-754
An additive-free Watts type bath containing micron- and nano-SiC particles (1μm and 20nm respectively), as well as ultrafine-WC particles (200nm), was used for the production of pure Ni and nickel matrix composite electrocoatings under both direct and pulse current conditions. Moreover, nickel nanocrystalline deposits were obtained from a Watts type bath containing small amounts of 2-butyne-1,4-diol, in order to investigate the combined advantages of additives and pulse technique on the properties of the deposits. The influence of the variable electrolysis parameters, the particle size and the organic additive concentration on the surface morphology, the structure and properties of the deposits were discussed. It has been proved that the application of pulse electrodeposition affects drastically the structural characteristics and properties of the deposits and under well-defined conditions could lead to the preparation of nanostructured materials with improved mechanical properties.