Synthesis and Composition Study of Electrochemically Deposited Ni-P Coating with Increased Surface Area

Nickel phosphides NixPy are a promising family of binary compounds that have shown much promise in various fields of technology, including energy storage, light absorption and heterogeneous catalysis in the reactions of biomass hydrogenation. The performance of NixPy-containing materials depends greatly on their morphology and phase composition and, in turn, on the synthesis technique. In this work, we have employed the electroplating approach to synthesize a Ni-P coating, which was treated with nitric acid in order to develop its surface area and enrich it with phosphorus. We have employed scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and P-31 nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to characterize the particles separated from the coating with ultrasound for the convenience of the study. According to experimental data, the obtained powder contained a mixture of Ni3P and phosphorus oxides, which transformed into nickel phosphide phases richer with phosphorus, such as Ni5P2 and Ni12P5, after treatment at elevated temperatures. Thus, we have demonstrated that electroplating followed by acid treatment is a feasible approach for the synthesis of Ni-P coatings with increased surface area and variable phase composition.

Automated summary

Nickel phosphides NixPy are promising binary compounds that show potential in various technological fields, with their performance depending on morphology and phase composition. Electroplating followed by acid treatment is demonstrated as a feasible approach for synthesizing Ni-P coatings with increased surface area and variable phase composition, enriching the phosphorus content in the materials. This study showcases the importance of synthesis techniques in controlling the properties of NixPy materials.