Study on Ni/Cu Alloy Plating and Pure Nickel Electrodeposition in Magnetic Fields

• Author / Creator

  Wang, Tianfei

• The processes of Ni/Cu electro-co-deposition and pure nickel electroplating in magnetic field
  have been investigated. Various techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic
  force microscope (AFM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and electrochemical characterization
  were used to determine the characteristics of electro-deposition. A reliable method has been
  developed to fabricate Ni/Cu coating film with uniform composition. The color of Ni/Cu
  deposits was found to be related to the residual stresses in the deposits, which could be altered by
  adjusting the pH level of the solution. The magneto-electrolytic deposition study found that
  MHD stirring in the bulk electrolyte has limited influence on the coating properties; however,
  MHD effect in the fluid boundary layer could modify the morphology and structure of the
  deposits. Three new models were proposed to interpret the underlying mechanisms on
  morphology and texture formation during nickel deposit in both parallel and vertical magnetic
  fields. The effect of the alternative magnetic field generated by spinning magnets on nickel
  deposition was also investigated and the coatings with better surface smoothness than static
  magnetic field had been achieved. The micro-hardness of the deposited nickel samples made in
  the absence and presence of magnetic field were evaluated. The hardness of the deposits can be
  well correlated to the surface roughness through a Hall-Petch-type relationship.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Ni/Cu
  • Electrodeposition
  • Magnetic

• Graduation date

  Spring 2015

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3266T

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.