The electrodeposition of nickel on to platinum substrate in a Watts bath in the presence of glycerol, mannitol or sorbitol has been studied. The presence of polyalcohols in the electrolytic solution proved to be significant since deterioration of the bath contents during operation was not observed. The influence of the concentration of these compounds on the nickel deposition process and on the nickel film morphology was investigated by voltammetric and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. Voltammetric studies of these baths showed that additives influence the kinetics but not the thermodynamics of the deposition process. The current efficiencies of the plating baths containing polyalcohols were high (∼ 95%). Clear and bright electrodeposits were successfully obtained from these baths even in the region of high hydrogen evolution, suggesting that the additives prevent the deposits becoming darker. According to the SEM results, the presence of these additives in the nickel plating bath was beneficial, since nickel films without cracks were obtained. In particular, glycerol (at 0.39 M and at − 1.6 V) showed good leveling properties as it gave the smoothest film. EDS analysis leads to infer that carbon has not been probably incorporated in the nickel films.

Influence of glycerol, mannitol and sorbitol on electrodeposition of nickel from a Watts bath and on the nickel film morphology

New and clean strategy for the determination of Cu2+ in electroless copper plating baths.

High corrosion-resistant and long-life-span electroless nickel process

A new method of ultraviolet absorption spectrophotometry was developed for the simultaneous determination of pyridinium-1-propane-3-sulphonate (PPS) and saccharine in bright electroplating bath. The effects of pH, inorganic salt concentration and 1,4-butynediol on the absorbance of PPS and saccharine were studied. This method is rapid and simple, and can be applied to the on site determination of the concentration of PPS and saccharine in the electroplating bath.

Determination of pyridinium-1-propane-3-sulphonate and saccharine in bright nickel electroplating bath

Spectrophotometric studies and applications for the determination of Ni²+ in zinc-nickel alloy electrolyte.

The electrochemical reactions occurring during deposition of nickel from a Watts bath were examined using a voltammetric technique. The important reactions taking place at the anode and cathode were systematically identified. The influence of new additives (PPS and EPB) on the anodic and cathodic reactions shows that the same additives have differing adsorption ability on the electrode at different potentials.

Influence of additives on electrodeposition of nickel from a Watts bath : a cyclic voltammetric study

Experiment has proved that iron can be dissolved in an acidic electroless nickel (EN) plating solution during the plating process when plating iron sheet. The influence of nickel sulfate, organic acids, sodium hypophosphite, pH and temperature on the absorption of Fe(III) was investigated. A new method, using mono-wavelength, to determine the concentration of Fe(III) was developed. Fe(II) was oxidized to Fe(III) to determine the total iron in the range 0.02 to 19.42 mg/L with recovery of more than 96.6 percent. Results confirmed that this method is easy, uses simple instruments, is quick and offers high accuracy in the process of measurement. This method can be applied to rapid determination of total iron in EN solutions, as well as determining whether the substrate is completely covered by Ni-P alloy if iron sheets are used.

Y. Lu

Papers

Influence of additives on electrodeposition of nickel from a Watts bath : a cyclic voltammetric study

Derivation and rapid spectrophotometric determination of iron in electroless nickel plating solution