Surface analysis of nickel nanomaterials electrodeposited on graphite surface

Pure Nickel (Ni) and Nickel-Palladium (Ni-Pd) alloy were electrodeposited on graphite surface via pulse electrolysis in dimethyl sulfoxide in form of rods and nanoparticles with a diameter of similar to 100-350 and similar to 10-35 nm, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra of Ni 2p(3/2) region for these nanomaterials suggests on their surface Ni2+ precursor while after Ar+ ion-etching metallic nickel starts to be dominated. Both Pd-0 and Pd2+ for XPS spectra of Pd 3d(5/2) and 3d(3/2) were observed after electrodeposition. Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray and XPS analysis confirmed electrodeposition of nickel nanomaterials in non-aqueous electrolyte. Using a lower concentration of Ni2+ precursor, nanoparticles with an average particle size of similar to 10-23 nm were prepared on a graphite surface.