Surface analysis of nickel nanomaterials electrodeposited on graphite surface

Abstract

Pure Nickel (Ni) and Nickel-Palladium (Ni-Pd) alloy were electrodeposited on graphite surface via pulse electrolysis in dimethyl sulfoxide in form of rods and nanoparticles with a diameter of ∼100-350 and ∼10-35 nm, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of Ni 2p 3/2 region for these nanomaterials suggests on their surface Ni 2+ precursor while after Ar + ion-etching metallic nickel starts to be dominated. Both Pd 0 and Pd 2+ for XPS spectra of Pd 3d 5/2 and 3d 3/2 were observed after electrodeposition. Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray and XPS analysis confirmed electrodeposition of nickel nanomaterials in non-aqueous electrolyte. Using a lower concentration of Ni 2+ precursor, nanoparticles with an average particle size of ∼10-23 nm were prepared on a graphite surface.