Development of Metal-Carbon Black Composite Plating with Wood's Bath

摘要

Nickel plating can effectively improve corrosion resistance of materials, and it is able to coat most materials using electroplating and electroless plating methods. But the formation of insulating nickel oxide on its surface drastically decreases its electrical conductivity. Carbonous nanomaterials such as carbon black, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, and nano-sized diamond show interesting mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Metal-carbonous materials composite platings have thus received increasing attention owing to their potential application in various fields. The present study focuses on the preparation of metal-carbonous materials composite platings through wet processes. Nickel-carbon black composite plating was prepared on nickel plate using Wood's bath. Nickel plating is expected to improve the corrosion resistance while carbon black ensures pathway for electricity. The thick nickel film electrodeposited with Wood's bath generates defective part on the surface. Nickel-carbon black composite plating with a maximum carbon content of 1.2 mass % was successfully obtained. When using the wood bath, carbon content increased as the current efficiency decreased.