Effects of saccharin and aliphatic alcohols on the electrocrystallization of nickel

• Published in: Journal of applied electrochemistry 1994-03, Vol.24 (3), p.227-23l2
• Main Authors: Nakamura, Y., Kaneko, N., Watanabe, M., Nezu, H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0021-891X; 1572-8838
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00242888

The effects of saccharin and three kinds of aliphatic alcohols (n-propyl alcohol, allyl alcohol, propargyl alcohol) on the surface morphology and crystal orientation of electrodeposited Ni from a Watts bath (IM NiSO sub 4 +0.2M NiCl sub 2 +0.5 M H sub 3 BO sub 3 ) have been studied by means of electrochemical methods, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray analysis and measurements of x-ray diffraction patterns. Saccharin and three kinds of aliphatic alcohols were adsorbed on the electrode and inhibited the reduction of Ni ion. The inhibitory effect on the reduction of Ni ion increased in the order n-propyl alcohol, allyl alcohol and propargyl alcohol. Large granular electrodeposits were obtained from the Watts bath in the absence of organic additives. When saccharin was added fine grained crystals were observed and the surface roughness was relatively small. When aliphatic alcohols were added the size of surface morphological features became smaller in the order n-propyl alcohol, allyl alcohol and propargyl alcohol. Fine grained, compact and smooth Ni electrodeposits, which had a preferred orientation with a (111) plane parallel to the surface, were obtained from the Watts bath containing both saccharin and propargyl alcohol.