Modeling the electroless nickel deposition on aluminum nanoparticles

► Ni coated aluminum nanoparticles fabricated by electroless nickel (EN) deposition. ► Investigating on composition and parameters of EN, efficient EN bath modeled by ANN. ► Maximum plating rate and minimum material usage are considered as desired outcomes. ► Optimum NiSO4·2H2O/NaH2PO2·H2O ratio to design any EN bath estimated about 0.35. ► Thin and uniform Ni shell within about 30 nm thickness coated Al nanoparticles.