The aim of this work is to acquire a better knowledge of the interplay between microstructure, composition, and corrosion resistance. To carry through these objectives, nanocrystalline nickel was chosen as a model material. The composition of the coatings was analyzed by GDOES and SIMS to be able to quantify metallic contaminants and light elements. Different tools (SEM, XRD, TEM, EBSD, AFM) were used to carefully characterize the structure at different scales. Polarization curves (in H2SO4 1M) were used to study the anodic behaviour and the kinetics of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction. Our experimental approach aims to separate the influence of different parameters, which can influence electrochemical reactivity (for example, grain size, grain boundaries character, crystallographic texture, roughness, contamination...). Thus, the behaviour of the coatings was compared with different forms of nickel (coarse-grained bulk samples and single-crystals with several crystallographic orientations).
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