Effects of gravity on the electrodeposition and characterization of nickel foils

The effects of gravity on nickel electrodeposition, the morphology and mechanical properties of deposits were studied in a super gravity field. Predictions in a microgravity field were also presented based on the obtained experimental tendency. Linear sweep voltammetry reveals that the nickel electrodeposition process is enhanced by increasing the gravity coefficient (G). The limiting current density changes from 10.2 to 293.0 mA·cm⁻² with the increase of the G value from 10⁻⁴ to 354. The morphology of deposits was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The images show that the morphology deposited in the super gravity field has finer grain sizes and denser and smoother surfaces. The roughness reduces from 48.3 to 4.9 nm with the increase of the G value from 10⁻⁴ to 354. Meanwhile, mechanical tests indicate that the mechanical properties of nickel foils are greatly improved due to introducing a super gravity field during electrodeposition.