Electrodeposition and characterization of nano-structured black nickel thin films

The electrodeposition and characterization of nano-structured black nickel coatings were presented. The influences of bath pH, electrodeposition time, stirring speed, temperature and current density on the color and microstructure of the electrodeposited nickel film were investigated through naked eyes, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Meanwhile, the corrosion resistance of the optimized black nickel film was evaluated by the polarization measurement and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the neutral 3.5% NaCl solution. The results show that the color of the electrodeposited nickel film was highly dependent on the above technological parameters. The operating parameters were optimized mainly according to the color. The optimized black nickel film possesses nano-structure with an average grain diameter of about 50 nm. It also exhibits enhanced corrosion resistance when compared with white nickel coatings electrdodeposited under the same condition except the variation of the electroplating current density.